National Unity of Hope

National Unity of Hope
Unidad Nacional de la Esperanza
Leader Sandra Torres
Founded 6 September 2002 (2002-09-06)
Ideology Social democracy
Christian left[1]
Political position Left-wing[2]
International affiliation Socialist International[3]
Colors      Green
Seats in Congress
36 / 158
Website
www.une.com.gt

The National Unity of Hope (Unidad Nacional de la Esperanza or UNE) is a political party in Guatemala. It was founded in 2002 and defines itself as a social-democratic and social-Christian party.

In the legislative elections held on 9 November 2003, the party won 17.9% of the popular vote and 32 out of 158 seats in Congress. Its presidential candidate Álvaro Colom won 26.4% in the presidential elections on the same day and was defeated in the second round, when he received 45.9%.

For the 2007 elections, the party again chose Colom as its presidential candidate. He came in first place with 28% of the vote; the party won 22.8% of the vote and 48 seats in Congress, more than any other party. On 4 November 2007, in the second round of the election, Colom was elected President of Guatemala. It would mark the first time since 1954 that Guatemala had a left wing government.[2]

In the 2011 general election, the Constitutional Court ruled out the candidacy of Colom's ex-wife, Sandra Torres, thus making it the first time in the history of the elections that an official ruling party did not present presidential and vice-presidential candidacies.

UNE Congressmen

References

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