Absent Martinelli orders deputies to toe party line

FORMER PRESIDENT  Ricardo Martinelli has issued a new warning to the legislative caucus of the Cambio Democrático (CD),  to toe the party line.

They have until Dec. 31 to sign a commitment to follow the line of the party he founded, funded and still rules although in exile.

Martinelli also announced that he has replaced Romulo Roux   as the acting head of the party.

Asked about the issue, Roux, who is the secretary of the party, said Martinelli has the legal authority to appoint whomever he sees fit.

“As secretary I will continue doing what I’ve done since we lost the election, which is fighting for unity, renewal and the democratization of the party,” he said.

CD Deputy Aris De Icaza said that the president was acting “cowardly” for making a demand of the legislative leaders.

The ultimatum was made a day before the hearing at which the Supreme Court was to consider ordering an arrest warrant for Martinelli.

In a two-page note, Martinelli urged the 25 CD deputies to sign a pledge to follow the party’s instructions or face expulsion..

“To all those who want to leave, the doors are open,” he said.

He said that the deputies have an obligation to provide a “critical and constructive opposition” within the National Assembly.

It is not the first time that Martinelli has threatened the CD caucus reports La Prensa.

In late November 2014, he said: “I want to make it very clear, any deputy who sells himself will face the revocation of his mandate.”