Nicaraguan Parliament Deadlocked
The impasse marking the beginning of 2006 Nicaraguan congressional sessions will extend at least another day, with suspension of the election of the board of the National Assembly again on Monday.

This failed session makes five attempts by deputies to garner the 47 needed votes to fill all leadership posts in the unicameral congress.

"We are ready to stay until dawn if necessary for you to reach an agreement and white smoke starts pouring out," Acting President of the National Assembly Jose Castillo said, summoning his colleagues again for Tuesday morning.

The first vice presidency became the bone in the throat with an unspoken agreement to hand over the presidency to Deputy Eduardo Gomez, although he is in the minority governing party, Alliance for the Republic.

The PLC (Partido Liberal Constitucionalista) has the majority of 40 seats and announced that it would veto Sandinista (FSLN) Rene Nunez to be Gomez" second-in-command.

The liberals apparently are trying to offset the FSLN (Frente Sandinista de Liberacion Nacional), with 38 seats, from preventing PLC Enrique Quinonez from obtaining a leadership post.

The Sandinistas declare Quinonez will facilitate an amnesty for Arnoldo Aleman, serving 20 years of house arrest for corruption.

Due to the impasse, President Enrique Bolanos was not able to present his report to the nation on January 10, as stated in the Constitution.

Bolanos, who summoned his security Cabinet on Friday to discuss the situation, warned deputies their attitude puts the country"s governability at risk and affects Nicaragua"s international image.