Politics & Government Guide in Nicaragua

Political system, governance structure, stability indicators, and democratic institutions

Nicaragua operates as a presidential republic dominated by Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo as co-presidents under the Sandinista National Liberation Front following 2025 constitutional reforms that centralized power and eliminated separation of powers. The regime has intensified authoritarian control, suppressing opposition through exile, citizenship revocation, and NGO closures. International observers describe it as a family dictatorship with systematic human rights abuses.

Government Type

Presidential Republic

Legal System

Civil law system

Head of State

Co-President Daniel Ortega(since 2007)

Head of Government

Co-President Rosario Murillo(Sandinista National Liberation Front)since 2025

Legislature

Type:unicameral

Lower House:National Assembly (92 seats)

Major Political Parties

Sandinista National Liberation Front(FSLN)

Left-wing

75 seats

Voting Rights

Universal suffrage for citizens aged 16 and older. Six-year residency requirement for co-presidential candidates effectively excludes opposition and exiles.

Recent Developments

January 2025 constitutional reform established co-presidency for Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo, extended terms to six years, and centralized control over legislative, judicial, and electoral branches
Government intensified repression, stripping citizenship from over 450 critics and closing more than 5600 NGOs since 2023
Supreme Electoral Council stripped legal status from Indigenous party YATAMA in 2023
Criminal Code amended in 2025 to allow prosecution in absentia of exiled critics

Voting Age16

SuffrageUniversal

Constitution1987

Departments and Autonomous Regions17

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