Guatemala for New Political Leaders
Most Guatemalans are unhappy with politicians and want a new leader, a poll by Vox Latina and published by Prensa Libre daily revealed Sunday.

As many as 87.4 percent of those polled affirm they have not heard any convincing statement by politicians, while 74.4 percent are undecided about a favorite candidate.

People from all ages and with different education levels advocated changes among the already mentioned presidential runners. Of those interviewed, 81.8 percent said the need of a new leadership is pressing, while 66.3 percent of university students believe people would vote for a native candidate during the 2007 elections.

The poll, held between December 29, 2005 and January 9, 2006, involved 1,260 Guatemalans over 18 years old, and had 95 percent reliability.

Asked about the poll results, the director of the civil organization "Accion Ciudadana," Manfredo Marroquin, declared they show the gap between the population and the political system.

"We have weak political parties and thus very poor government leadership, unable to cope with the country´s problems," he stated.

"Unless there is a prompt, categorical change within the system, the population will seek alternatives in which parties will no longer be a point of reference, as is happening in many South American countries," Marroquin added.