Archive · 30 Jul 2026
Ortega Pushes 7-Year Term, Excludes Opposition from Elections
President Daniel Ortega in Nicaragua wants to change the country’s rules so he can stay president for a longer time.
He wants the new rule to let him keep the job for seven years instead of six.
He also wants to stop people he calls ‘traitors’ from running for president.
The plan was sent to the lawmakers on July 29 and might be approved in September.
Many countries, like the United States and the European Union, are worried about this because it could make it harder for other people to run for president.
The change follows a previous rule that already made the term longer and gave Ortega’s wife a big role in the government.
President Daniel Ortega proposes extending the presidential term to seven renewable years via a draft constitutional reform sent to Congress.
The reform also seeks to bar “traitors” and “coup-plotting” opposition members from future elections.
The proposal is expected to be approved in September, following Ortega’s announcement that no elections would be held to prevent opposition takeover.
The move has drawn criticism and sanctions from the United States and the European Union, and concerns from international rights groups.
The reform follows a 2024 amendment that already extended the term to six years and elevated Ortega’s wife Rosario Murillo to co‑president.
- Who
- President Daniel Ortega and Congress President Gustavo Porras
- What
- Draft constitutional reform to extend the presidential term to seven years and bar certain opposition members from elections
- When
- Draft sent July 29, 2024; expected approval September 2024
- Where
- Nicaragua
- Why
- To consolidate Ortega’s power and prevent opposition takeover
- Presidential term length
- 7 years (renewable)
- Proposed by
- President Daniel Ortega
- Draft sent to Congress
- Tuesday evening, July 29, 2024
- Expected approval
- September 2024
- Opposition exclusion
- Traitors and coup-plotting members
- International reaction
- Concern from U.S. and EU, sanctions