Versión Español
EspañolNicaragua’s Independent Liberal Party presidential candidate has dropped out.
Pedro Reyes, who was running against incumbent Daniel Ortega, cut his candidacy short on Monday citing a lack of financing.
Reyes also said the decision was a PR move intended to bolster popularity for his party.
The former candidate responsible for the leadership of the PLI told Reuters that his decision to leave his political aspirations is “for the good fortune of the party and the country” because he does not have sufficient funds to continue the campaign.
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The sale of 13,500 solidarity bonds following Reyes’ dropout raised US $1 million that he said could help finance the campaigns of other candidates running for other elected offices.
Reyes denied that he dropped out because of his low popularity in the polls, which hovered around 2.2 percent.
A poll last week showed that President Ortega is holding onto 61 percent of support, which puts him at an even wider margin of victory than the last survey taken.
The nearest competitor is Maximinio Rodriguez. A September 3 poll showed him at a distant second, with 4.4 percent of the vote.
Elections, which will go without national or international electoral observation, will take place November 6.
Source: Reuters
