Martinelli downplays re-election proposal

 A PROPOSAL that would allow his re-election was downplayed on Thursday, June 20, by President Ricardo Martinelli.

It was filed with the National Directorate of Citizen Participation of the National Assembly by lawyer Honorio Quesada, a pre-candidate for the PRD presidential nomination. It seeks to repeal article 178 of the Constitution which prevents the immediate re-election of a president.

Martinelli said that he has no need for re-election because his party has a presidential candidate in José Domingo Arias.
He said the presentation of the proposal is a trick of the opposition party, without referring directly to the PRD to deflect attention from its problems.
"This is nonsense because we have a winning candidate," said Martinelli.
He also said that he is not in agreement with a proposal to hold a referendum on the issue.