Raimundo López

THE municipal and legislative elections which took place March 11 in El Salvador left a number of controversies in their wake, promoted by governmental, economic and media forces. These concern progress made by the right wing, which the results show as only relative.

Elected, at the mid point of FLMN President Mauricio Funes’
term, were 84 Legislative Assembly representatives and 262 municipal governments, which will serve three year terms, set to begin May 1.

The principal party of the right, the National Republican Alliance (Arena), which governed the country from 1989 through 2009, won 33 seats in the Assembly, one more than the number won in the last election, January 18, 2009, and became the majority party.

On the other hand, in the municipal elections, Arena carried the voting in 117 cities, five less than in the previous vote. The party did, however, win in some traditional bastions of the Farabundo Martí National Liberation Front (FMLN).

The FLMN dropped from 35 legislators to 31 and in the municipal elections, won 95 cities, several of these Arena strongholds, although the party emerged with one less municipal government, as compared to 2009.

Amidst the opposition party’s euphoria, Medardo González, FMLN General Secretary, described the outcome, in an initial evaluation, as a technical tie, given that the difference between the votes garnered by the two parties amounted to 2.9% of the total cast nationally.

According to the preliminary ballot count, as compared to 2009, Arena won an additional 17,000 votes, while support for the FLMN declined by almost 140,000 votes, mainly in the densely populated department of San Salvador, the country’s capital.

The FMLN, which 20 years ago became a legal party after years as a guerrilla movement, reacted immediately in an honorable, forthright manner.

"We inform the Salvadoran people that we accept the results maturely and responsibly. We will dispassionately study the causes and lessons of this process, in order to make whatever adjustments are needed and possible, committed to improved work in the search for solutions to the country’s serious problems.

"To our ranks, which have proven themselves in victory and adversity, we request a commitment to undertake a responsible evaluation, in the spirit of self-criticism, putting above all else the unity of the party, necessary if we are to continue along the route to transformation."

González indicated that the process of analysis had begun and that one of the principal factors identified was the increase in the cost of living, which is being forcefully denounced by urban sectors and the middle class.

He emphasized the positive impact of the government’s social programs in health care, education and other areas which have benefited the poorest layers of society and small farmers, who contributed to the FLMN victories in many municipalities.

He likewise indicated that these policies are as yet inadequate and that investment must be promoted, employment generated and other measures taken to improve the quality of life in urban areas.

He recalled that when Funes was nominated as the candidate of the party, of which he was not a member, a very limited joint analysis of the situation in El Salvador, and changes needed, was carried out.

González said, "We are optimistic that, if we return to this path, complete an adequate analysis and project ourselves precisely in the two remaining years of this administration, we can make important gains.