EP supports LI Nicaragua mission and condemns Ortega
27.11.2009 This week, the European Parliament adopted a resolution to support Liberal International President Hans van Baalen’s recent visit to Nicaragua with an LI delegation.Van Baalen succeeded in uniting the liberal opposition in Nicaragua and criticized Ortega for his unconstitutional plans to seek a second consecutive term as President. The EP censured the way in which Van Baalen and the LI delegation were treated by Ortega and his associates, and condemned the fact that the leader of the Sandinistas wants to push aside the Nicaraguan constitution to secure a second Presidential term. The EP also called for the European Union to exercise greater control over the use of the funds allocated to Nicaragua for development projects ensuring that none of the money falls into the hands of the Sandinistas, to support the democratic opposition in Nicaragua and to send electoral observers to the 2011 Presidential elections. The resolution was supported by a majority consisting of the liberal ALDE group, the Christian Democrats and the Conservatives. The Left voted against the constitution, and supported this position by stating that that were briefed about the particulars of the situation directly by the Nicaraguan ambassador.
During the debate Van Baalen also called for support for the upcoming Presidential elections in Honduras on Sunday 29 November, elections which are not supported by the Leftist groups in the European Parliament.
European Commissioner Karel de Gucht promised to follow the resolution and also stated that the Honduran elections will be judged on the basis of its democratic nature.
The full resolution can be found here.
