Overwhelming Support for Nicaragua's Ortega Ahead of Elections

Less than two months away from a general election, a poll revealed that 67.3 percent of Nicaraguans support the current government, led by President Daniel Ortega.

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The poll, conducted by M&R Consultants and published by Prensa Latina on Friday, also found that 82.2 percent of the population held a favorable opinion of Ortega.

Earlier this week Ortega announced that his wife, Rosario Murillo, would be his running mate in the upcoming presidential election. That same poll found that 82.8 percent of respondents had a positive view of Murillo, who presently serves in Ortega's cabinet.

Ortega and his Sandinista National Liberation Front are widely expected to win the November 6, election.

The high levels of support are partially attributed to a fragmented opposition. Eliseo Nuñez, a former lawmaker with the opposition Liberal party, conceded that they “do not have the strength to defeat him.”

Orega's fortunes are also buttressed by a well-performing economy.

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A recent ECLAC report found that most economies in Latin America are expected to contract this coming year, with the notable exception of Central American countries, which are expected to grow by 3.8 percent.

Ortega, a former guerrilla leader with the Sandinistas, first came to power in 1979 after the successful overthrow of the Somoza dictatorship. He will be running for a third consecutive term in office since returning to office in 2007.