FMLN loses power in National Assembly

Defections from the FMLN last week cost the leftist party key strength in the National Assembly. On Wednesday, June 8, two FMLN deputies in the National Assembly, as well as two mayors, and more than three hundred other members resigned from the party. The departing members cited differences with the FMLN leadership controlled by the hard line orthodox faction of Schafik Handal.

The defection of two deputies in the National Assembly meant that the FMLN, already in the minority, is no longer able to block votes which require a supermajority vote of 60 percent. The most important votes requiring a supermajority are those which authorize government borrowing. The departing deputies announced that for now they will be independents not aligned with any party.

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