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Nicaragua: Government

Key Figures

Chief of State:
President José Daniel Ortega Saavedra
Head of Government:
President José Daniel Ortega Saavedra

Overview

Government Name:
Republic of Nicaragua
Constitution:
Promulgated: 1987; Was reformed to give new powers and independence to the National Assembly; allowing the assembly to override a presidential veto with a simple majority vote. The President's ability to pocket veto a bill was also eliminated. Establishes a democratic system of government with a mixed economy based upon a separation of powers between the branches of government.
Government Type:
Presidential Republic
Republic of Nicaragua Flag
Coat of Arms of Republic of Nicaragua

Index of Economic Freedom

Grades each country on a scale of 0 to 100, based on ten freedoms, with 100 representing the greatest amount of economic autonomy from government intervention. Source: Heritage Foundation (2023)

Country Risk Rating

D
A high-risk political and economic situation and an often very difficult business environment can have a very significant impact on corporate payment behavior. Corporate default probability is very high. Source: Coface (2022)

Government Branches

Main Powers Election Process Election Cycle 1
Executive

President appoints council of ministers and is the head of government.

Elected by plurality vote.

5 years
Judicial

Supreme Court supervises what is considered to be an ineffective judicial system. The Supreme Electoral Council is responsible for organizing and conducting elections, plebiscites, and referendums.

Supreme Court elected by the National Assembly and Supreme Electoral Council elected by the National Assembly.

5 years
Legislative

Main legislative body of Nicaragua.

90 members are elected through a closed-list proportional representation system and 2 members are reserved for the former president.

5 years

Regional Trade Blocs

No Regional Trade Blocs

International Organization Participation [2]

Environmental Agreements [3]

Tax Information [2]

Tax Authority:
Ministry of Finance
Tax Name:
VAT

Sources:

  1. ElectionGuide http://www.electionguide.org/
  2. EY, http://www.ey.com
  3. CIA World Factbook, https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/
  4. U.S. Bilateral Relations Fact Sheets http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/