After Nuevas Ideas, the party led by president Nayib Bukele, achieved a convincing victory that would allow it to have a qualified majority in the Assembly, the country will face a scenario in which this political group would have enough power to make transcendental decisions.
With promises of a "different policy," ex-mayor of San Salvador, Nayib Bukele, won the presidential elections in El Salvador, which for the past 30 years has been governed by the traditional ARENA party and the FMLN.
The most updated data from the Supreme Electoral Tribunal of El Salvador show that after processing 99.94% of the minutes, the party GANA obtained 53% of the votes, followed by the Coalition of parties ARENA, PCN, PDC and DS, with 32%, the FMLN, with 14%, and Vamos, with 0.78%.
According to the ratings agency the political polarization that characterizes the Legislature which will take office on May 1 could hamper the implementation of the fiscal reforms that the country needs.
From an article by Fitch Ratings:
El Salvador's New Legislature May Yield Fiscal Restraint
Fitch Ratings-New York-23 March 2015: Gains by opposition parties in El Salvador's legislative assembly could result in a compromise to improve the sustainability of public finances but political polarization is likely to continue weighing on the prospects for growth-enhancing and security reforms, Fitch Ratings says.
The Law on Legal Stability for Investments has been approved, which aims to improve confidence in the country preventing changes to incentive schemes granted to foreign companies.
From a statement issued by the Legislative Assembly of El Salvador:
Legislative Plenary approves Legal Stability Law for Investment
This is another important step forward in the legislative endeavor, as with this approval legal stability is granted to entrepreneurs who decide to invest in the country. Using this tool, legislators will be able to give domestic and foreign businessmen, certainty that, once their investment project is approved, no one can change the rules of the game.
Fitch Ratings has maintained its BB-rating but noted prevailing structural weaknesses such as low competitiveness, crime, weak human capital and the high cost of energy.
From a press release issued by Fitch Ratings:
Fitch Ratings has affirmed the long-term long-term debt rating in both dollars and local currency at 'BB-'. Fitch also affirmed the ratings of bonds in foreign and local currency without gurantee from El Salvador at 'BB-', maintaining the negative outlook.
The opposition in the Assembly is calling for government approval of the bill on fiscal responsibility before approving the issuance of debt of $1.15 billion and a proposed tax package.
The lawmakers argued that there is a need to thoroughly scrutinize the text of the proposed reforms, as there is uncertainty over the destination the government will chose for the proceeds as well as strategies to revive the national economy in order for the state to ensures there is liquidity rather continuing to generate more debt for the country.
The tiny margin separating the winner of the presidential election from his opponent does not favor institutional stability.
According to the Supreme Electoral Tribunal of El Salvador, 6,364 votes is the difference that separates the official candidate of the Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front (FMLN) from his opponent Norman Quijano, from the ARENA party.
In Honduras there are plans to develop free zones to attract companies from El Salvador who have shown their fears about the business climate in the country.
Several Salvadoran companies have shown fear over the FMLN party winning the presidential election for the second time. Aware of the concerns of Salvadorans regarding the business climate in the Central American nation, Hondurans are working on attracting those companies.
The company owned by Venezuela and a group of municipalities from the ruling party continue to diversify; now they sell water and finance housing projects.
The Alba business conglomerate announced through José Luis Merino, Alba Petróleos advisor and coordinator of the ruling FMLN party, that it is to add a new business to those already it established in El Salvador since it came into the country in 2006.
The presidential hopeful Sanchez Cerén, from the ruling FMLN party, reaffirmed his opposition to the exploitation of metal mining in the country.
The presidential candidate of the Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front party (FMLN), Salvador Sanchez Ceren, says a new government will not allow the exploitation of metal mining in the country, believing that it is "an risk for the population."
In scenarios where no candidate managed to win a direct election, the results of the first round confirmed the trends of voters to the left in both countries.
In a second round on March 9th in El Salvador and on April 6th in Costa Rica the next presidents of both nations will be chosen, after two elections ended with no candidate receiving the required majority to be declared president.
The strategies for El Salvador to enter into Petrocaribe include the creation of a state run company for importing and marketing petroleum products.
Elmundo.com.sv reports that "José Luis Merino , FMLN leader and senior advisor to Alba Petroleos in El Salvador, says the party does not have an agreement model to join Petrocaribe, in the case that they win the presidential election next year. "
There has been a favourable response to the bill establishing an open skies policy based on reciprocity with states and airlines.
From a press release by the Legislative Assembly of El Salvador:
The Commission of Public Works, Transport and Housing of the Legislative Assembly, reached a favourable ruling regarding the reform to the Civil Aviation Act, to establish in the country a "Open Skies Policy" and create greater competitiveness in the airlines market with fares which are more accessible to users.
The Superintendency of Competition could set minimum and maximum transient prices for air tickets, in the national interest or because of public need.
The initiative a proposal by the Frente Farabundo Martí para la Liberación Nacional (FMLN) to the Salvadoran Congress to amendment Article 22 of the Civil Aviation Act so that the Superintendency of Competition (SC) can set those rates.