Mexico CITY: Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega on Wednesday proposed a constitutional reform which would further strengthen his hold on the country, including by making him and his wife, Vice President Rosario Murillo, co-presidents.
The reform would expand the presidential term from five to six years and make it illegal for anyone to enforce foreign sanctions on Nicaraguan territory, according to local media.
It would also officialize the role of the volunteer police, popularly known as "paramilitaries”, and provide for a two-person presidency, among a broad range of measures. Ortega has already been publicly referring to Murillo as the country’s unofficial co-president. The two co-presidents also coordinate the work of parliament and the judiciary as well as appoint vice presidents. (DPA)