Political checkmate seems inevitable

Tension is growing in Nicaragua as the new majority removes Board of the Parliament and increase possibilities that Alemán will have to face trial. The ex–president’s family leaves the country, as thousands of demonstrators take to the streets.

By Christian Korsgaard

19. September 2002

“From prison, I will leave, like Nelson Mandela did, twenty–some years later. But before that I will see the bodies of my enemies pass by”, said ex–president Arnoldo Alemán yesterday, in a comment to the growing possibility that he might have to face trial on the charges of corruption presented against him.

Political tension in the country have risen since last week’s decision of a local judge to formally indict a number of former government officials and members of Arnoldo Alemán’s family on charges of corruption. Judge Juana Méndez also requested the Parliament to strip Alemán of his political immunity, a petition supported by 47 Members of Parliament. The 47 now constitute the Parliament’s new majority, as several loyal ‘arnoldistas’ have changed sides since the corruption scandal broke loose.

But before a Member of Parliament can be stripped of his or her immunity, the request has to be considered by a special commission, which the Board of the Parliament has to set up. Late last week, six of the seven members of the Board rejected the judge’s and the 47 Members of Parliament’s request, based on the argument that Méndez had committed a legal fault. The Board members at no time argued that the request or the accusations were groundless. This is the second time the present Board rejects a request to strip Alemán of his immunity to make him face trial.

Popular support immense

There is little doubt that an overwhelming part of the five million Nicaraguans want Alemán removed from the Parliament, where his presence is blocking any political, social or economic progress in the country. Over 800.000 citizens have signed a petition to strip Alemán of his immunity, and a poll last this week showed that an overwhelming 90 percent of the population think likewise. On top of that, a majority of the Parliament wishes to have Alemán face trial.

Blaming the six members of the Board for wishing to destabilize the country and act against the people’s will, the new parliamentary majority summoned a special session this morning, determined to change the entire Board. The overall argument is that six Members of Parliament cannot be allowed to take the entire population as political hostages.

The response of the Board came yesterday with the establishment a committee dominated by ‘arnoldistas’. Furthermore, all Parliamentary activities were suspended today and tomorrow “for security reasons”. The new majority did not acknowledge any of the two decisions.

Tension is growing

Meanwhile, political tension is growing, both inside and outside the Parliament. The new majority did in fact manage to change the Board this morning, while thousands of demonstrators celebrated with speeches and fireworks outside the parliamentary building. Heavily armed police and special riot-troops are protecting the area around the Parliament and other important locations in the capital of Managua.

Alemán and his allies naturally refuse to recognize the newly elected Board, and have already announced that the election will be appealed to the Supreme Court – which Alemán happen to control. The Supreme Court has on two earlier occasions, which had nothing to do with the present case, rejected the decision to change the Board of the Parliament during term. Alemán has also declared his decision to present the case to the Organization of American States (OAS) and the Central American Parliament (PARLACEN). Likewise, ‘arnoldistas’ are expected to pay visits to the national parliaments of the other Central American countries, in order to present the case and gain support for their claim that what happened today, was in fact a coup d’état.

According to official sources, ex–president Alemán’s wife left the country this morning, accompanied by his daughter – who by the way is also a Member of Parliament and accused of the same crimes as Alemán.

President Enrique Bolaños, who has been taking the lead in Nicaragua’s fight against the corruption, left the country yesterday on a visit to Southern USA.