Government and Politics of Nicaragua

Government Type

republic

Administrative Divisions

15 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento) and 2 autonomous regions* (regiones autonomistas, singular - region autonomista); Atlantico Norte*, Atlantico Sur*, Boaco, Carazo, Chinandega, Chontales, Esteli, Granada, Jinotega, Leon, Madriz, Managua, Masaya, Matagalpa, Nueva Segovia, Rio San Juan, Rivas

Legal System

civil law system; Supreme Court may review administrative acts

Suffrage

16 years of age; universal

Citizenship

citizenship by birth: yes citizenship by descent: yes dual citizenship recognized: no, except in cases where bilateral agreements exist residency requirement for naturalization: 4 years

Executive Branch

chief of state: President Daniel ORTEGA Saavedra (since 10 January 2007, reelected 10 January 2012, reelected 10 January 2017, reelected 10 January 2022); Vice President Rosario MURILLO Zambrana (since 10 January 2017); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government; Rosario MURILLO is the wife of President ORTEGA and has been widely regarded as a co-ruler sharing significant executive power head of government: President Daniel ORTEGA Saavedra (since 10 January 2007); Vice President Rosario MURILLO Zambrana (since 10 January 2017); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held on 7 November 2021 (next to be held in November 2026) election results: Daniel ORTEGA Saavedra (FSLN) reelected president - 75.9%, Walter ESPINOZA (PLC) 14.3%, Guillermo OSORNO (CCN) 3.3%, other 6.5%; note - the 2021 election was widely criticized by international observers and foreign governments as neither free nor fair, as numerous prominent opposition candidates had been arrested and disqualified from participating in the months preceding the vote

Legislative Branch

Unicameral National Assembly or Asamblea Nacional (92 seats; members are elected by proportional representation and party lists to serve five-year terms; 1 seat is reserved for the outgoing president, and 1 seat for the runner-up in the previous presidential election). Elections: Last held on 7 November 2021 (next to be held in November 2026). Election results: Percent of vote by party — Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN) 75.87%, Liberal Constitutionalist Party (PLC) 13.97%, Nicaraguan Liberal Alliance (ALN) 3.61%, other parties remainder; seats by party — FSLN 75, PLC 10, ALN 2, other parties 5. Note: The 2021 elections were widely condemned by international observers as neither free nor fair, as numerous opposition candidates and political figures had been arrested or barred from participating in the months preceding the vote, leaving President Daniel Ortega effectively unopposed and the FSLN dominant in the legislature.

Judicial Branch

Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (16 judges elected for five-year terms by the National Assembly)

Political Parties

Alliance for the Republic or APRE [Miguel LOPEZ Baldizon]; Central American Unionist Party or PUCA [Blanca ROJAS]; Christian Alternative Party or AC [Orlando TARDENCILLA Espinoza]; Conservative Party or PC [Mario Sebastian RAPPACCIOLI]; Independent Liberal Party or PLI [Anibal MARTINEZ Nunez, Pedro REYES Vallejos]; Independent Liberal Party for National Unity or PLIUN [Carlos GUERRA Gallardo]; Liberal Constitutional Party or PLC [Jorge CASTILLO Quant]; Liberal Salvation Movement or MSL [Eliseo NUNEZ Hernandez]; New Liberal Party or PALI [Adolfo GARCIA Esquivel]; Nicaraguan Party of the Christian Path or PCCN [Guillermo OSORNO Molina]; Nicaraguan Resistance Party or PRN [Salvador TALAVERA]; Sandinista National Liberation Front or FSLN [Daniel ORTEGA Saavedra]; Sandinista Renovation Movement or MRS [Dora Maria TELLEZ]; Unity Alliance or AU [leader NA]

Head of State

President Daniel ORTEGA Saavedra (since 10 January 2007, reelected 10 January 2012, reelected 10 January 2017, reelected 10 January 2022)

Head of Government

President Daniel ORTEGA Saavedra

Cabinet

Council of Ministers appointed by the president

Elections

Last held on 7 November 2021 (next to be held in November 2026).

Election Results

Percent of vote by party — Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN) 75.87%, Liberal Constitutionalist Party (PLC) 13.97%, Nicaraguan Liberal Alliance (ALN) 3.61%, other parties remainder; seats by party — FSLN 75, PLC 10, ALN 2, other parties 5. Note: The 2021 elections were widely condemned by international observers as neither free nor fair, as numerous opposition candidates and political figures had been arrested or barred from participating in the months preceding the vote, leaving President Daniel Ortega effectively unopposed and the FSLN dominant in the legislature.

Constitution

9 January 1987, with reforms in 1995 and 2000

Independence

15 September 1821 (from Spain)

National Holiday

Independence Day, 15 September (1821)

International Organization Participation

BCIE, CACM, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, LAES, LAIA (observer), NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO

Diplomatic Representation in the U.S.

chief of mission: Ambassador Salvador STADTHAGEN chancery: 1627 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 939-6570, [1] (202) 939-6573 FAX: [1] (202) 939-6545 consulate(s) general: Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco

U.S. Diplomatic Representation

chief of mission: Ambassador Paul A. TRIVELLI embassy: Kilometer 4.5 Carretera Sur, Managua mailing address: APO AA 34021 telephone: [505] 266-6010 FAX: [505] 266-3861

Capital City

Managua

Location

12 08 N, 86 15 W

Time Difference

UTC-6 (1 hour behind Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

History

may derive from the indigenous Nahuatl term "mana-ahuac," which translates as "adjacent to the water" or a site "surrounded by water"; the city is situated on the southwestern shore of Lake Managua

U.S. Embassy Managua Km 5 ½ Carretera Sur, Managua - Nicaragua Telephone: (505) 2252-7100 Emergency after-hours telephone: (505) 2252-7171 Facsimile: (505) 2252-7250

Military Branches

National Army of Nicaragua (Ejercito Nacional de Nicaragua, ENN; includes Navy, Air Force)

Service Age and Obligation

18-30 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription; tour of duty 18-36 months; requires Nicaraguan nationality and 6th-grade education