The aspiration of President Juan Orlando Hernández for a re-election, invoking a controversial constitutional interpretation, shakes up the political climate in Honduras, where ex-president Manuel Zelaya was ousted in 2009 for trying to stay in power.
Analysts and businessmen are warning that Hernandez’ intention to seek re-election could unleash social mobilizations such as the “indignados” that took the streets last year, protesting for the corruption in the current and previous government.
Partido Nacional (PN) claims that, based on an appeal filed on December 9th, 2014, the Constitutional Chamber declared Article 239 of the Constitution was “unenforceable”, although it was in force since 1982. This article prohibits the reelection.
The latest Cid-Gallup poll, published by La Tribuna newspaper in May, ranked Hernández as the most popular politician with 64% of supporters, followed by the leader of Anti-corrupción Party (PAC), television host Salvador Nasrala.
Manuel Zelaya was overthrown in 2009 by a military coup after calling for a popular referendum to convene a constituent that would allow the presidential reelection.