The probability of a divided opposition in the 2011 presidential election appears all but certain after pre-candidate Fabio Gadea announced last weekend that he has reached a preliminary agreement with the ambiguous Nicaraguan Liberal Alliance (ALN) to run as its candidate in the No. 9 ballot spot in November.
Gadea announced Jan. 29 that his candidacy on the ALN’s ticket is “almost, almost a reality.”
The final announcement was expected to be made Feb. 3, at press time.
If Gadea’s candidacy for the ALN is formalized, it will assure a divided opposition.
Former President and ex-convict Arnoldo Alemán last month announced his candidacy for the Liberal Constitutional Party (PLC) and announced an electoral alliance with the Conservative Party (NT, Jan. 28).
Both Gadea and Alemán claim to represent the best candidacy to unify the opposition against President Daniel Ortega’s illegal reelection bid.
Although claiming to be an opposition party, the ALN has proved repeatedly over the past three years to be a solid legislative ally of the Sandinista Front.