Brief honeymoon for new electoral judge

The honeymoon of the newly appointed judge of the Electoral Tribunal (TE) Heriberto Arauz was short lived. 

The day after he was named to the post, speaking to journalists, he voiced support for presidential re-election, a theme of the ruling Democratic Change (CD) party.

Condemnation poured in from many sides. Mario Galindo, a former Molirena member, said it was "academic nonsense to claim, based on a common typo,  to do away with the constitutional provision that since 1941 had prohibited the immediate reelection of the President.”
Meanwhile, constitutional expert Miguel Antonio Bernal questioned the choice of the new judge.
Arauz "was not chosen on merit, but to work for re-election," he said. "He started on the wrong foot, and should trepudiate re-election or leave," he said.
Democratic Revolutionary Party deputy José Luis Fabrega warne3d the public to be vigilant "of the independence and neutrality of Heriberto Araúz".
The support of the new magistrate for an extended presidential term an run off elections "is a move in favor of the president, Ricardo Martinelli," said interim president of the Lawyers guild Carlos Rubio.
In his view, Arauz made a prejudgment on presidential re-election. It would give this government a chance to remain in power.
Arauz had a first transition meeting with Gerardo Solis, whom he will replace from November 15 and future colleagues Eduardo Valdés Escoffery, and Erasmo Pinilla
He also had an interview scheduled with La Prensa, but did not attend the meeting or return calls from staff members. The honeymoon is over.