Nicaragua’s Civic Alliance Presents a 10-Point Unity Program

“Belonging to this union doesn’t mean losing identity; rather, it’s a recognition of differences,” stated Dr. Carlos Tunnermann.

By Maynor Salazar  (Confidencial)

HAVANA TIMES – This past Monday, October 21, the Civic Alliance for Justice and Democracy presented a ten-point program, intended to form the basis of a great opposition unity to find a way out of the national crisis that the country has faced since April 2018.

“Unity among those of us who desire freedom, justice, peace and democracy, is an indispensable condition for a democratic change in Nicaragua,” Dr. Carlos Tunnermann Bernheim told the media.

Among the principal points are an end to reelection and strongman rule; and independent state powers plus the repeal of Law #840, the canal concession. Other points include an independent electoral system; truth, justice reparations, a guarantee of no repetition, and no impunity for the crimes against humanity.

They also contemplate a profound reform of the National Police, and the guarantee of a National Army that rigorously upholds its Constitutional role. Item 6 contemplates unrestricted political participation for citizens with no discrimination and full university autonomy at both regional and municipal levels.

“Head-on war on corruption and impunity. A social policy focused on those with the greatest needs: the poor and vulnerable, without preferential treatments or party favoritism. Respect for private property and a market economy that is modern, competitive, respectful of the environment and with opportunities for all. The continual construction of a national consensus to reaffirm the collective will to coexist in peace and justice, respecting the political, religious, cultural and ethnic differences plus gender differences or preferences of any kind,” reads part of the communique that was read on Monday.

Tunnermann affirmed that this ten-point program is a contribution towards a great unity accord. They urge the different active figures in the country, as well as the social movements, political parties, organizations and collectives, to join this proposal for the country’s agreement and to offer their contributions to reinforce this solid, cohesive and lasting alliance.

“Belonging to this union doesn’t mean losing identity; rather, it’s a recognition of the differences, and an understanding that unity is strength, and will permit the construction of an invincible alliance,” expressed Tunnermann, also a member of the Civic Alliance.

The Citizens for Liberty (CxL) alternative

Last week, in an event for business leaders, former Nicaraguan ambassador to the United States Arturo Cruz spoke of the option of utilizing the electoral vehicle offered by the Citizens for Liberty party in a possible scenario for national elections.

The opposition has a trustworthy electoral vehicle, Cruz said, referring to the Citizens for Liberty party, which has a registered legal status.  This is the vehicle “around which the UNO [the coalition that defeated Ortega back in 1990] of the future could be shaped. This could be the option for the seventy percent of Nicaraguans that have no party or candidate preferences, but desire to end the Ortega regime,” Cruz said.

Jose Pallais, a member of the Civic Alliance, explained that this type of decision [of an electoral vehicle] isn’t something that can be proposed offhandedly in a group, but should be the result of a consensus regarding the most convenient option.

“We’re proposing to the nation a statement of principles, our vision of how unity should be achieved and what it should be for. We propose a unity without exclusions, since this struggle belongs to all of us…but first, before entering into a discussion of [an electoral vehicle], we should be united around a Government program with a well-defined purpose,” Pellais indicated.

For his part, Dr. Tunnermann explained that within the Civic Alliance a special commission has been designated for receiving the requests of the social and university movements, and those of other types, that would like to constitute themselves as municipal or regional alliances. In addition, he clarified that they’re open to conversing with political parties that would like to join this union.