Polity Issues

May 2007 | Ratings Update

Nicaragua scores near the bottom rung in Central America under our new short- and long-term political ratings methodology. The 67.1 short-term rating is ahead of only Guatemala, where there is an election later this year - rendering it likely that Nicaragua will occupy the bottom spot by 2008. The domestic political scene in Nicaragua remains unsettled, as President Daniel Ortega earned only a modest popular mandate in the 2006 elections, and the legislature is divided. Meanwhile, the long-term rating of 50.7 (again second-lowest to Guatemala) is constrained by the polarised political atmosphere and weak scores in the 'rule of law'

If you would like to subscribe to Central America Monitor and gain instant access to this article, please click here to subscribe.

If you would like to take a trial to Central America Monitor please click on the trial link below.