Dates of last and next legislative elections:  2001/2006

Head of state: President Enrique Bolaños

AT THE LAST ELECTION

Right-wing coalitions have held power since 1990. The PLC took office in 1997, promising to unite the country but quickly became unpopular due to austerity measures and allegations of corruption. Recent two-party domination of politics, shared between the PLC and the FSLN, has strained democracy. Charges of corruption, backed by President Enrique Bolaños and leveled against former PLC president and party leader Arnoldo Alemán, polarized Congress and the party in 2003.

From "The Financial Times World Desk Reference" © Dorling Kindersley 2004