First Lady of Guatemala divorces in order to run for presidency

Summary of story from “New Statesman” 14 April, 2011

Sandra Torres has officially divorced from her husband, President Alvaro Colom, so that she can run for election when his term in office ends in 2012 (see WVoN story).

Guatemala’s constitution states that no relative of the president, including those by marriage, is eligible for office.  This attempt to bypass the constitution has proved controversial in this largely Catholic country, especially as the couple are still living together.

The conservative opposition, the Patriot Party (PP), has denounced the move as “electoral fraud”, but Torres’ own party, the National Union for Hope (UNE), has delivered a petition, containing 1.3 million signatures, to the Constitutional Court, supporting her candidacy.

It is now for this body and the supreme Electoral Tribunal to decide whether Torres’ campaign can go ahead.