El Salvador's bitter sweet Municipal elections

Violeta Menjívar at a campaign rally

On January 18 2009, thousands of Salvadorans headed to the polls in what is set to be a monumental year for El Slavador.

In addition to the January municipal elections, a second vote will take place March 15 for the country’s president. According to all polls, the FMLN’s candidate Maricio Funes is in the lead. If Funes wins, it will be the first time the FMLN will hold the presidential seat as well as the first regime change in over 20 years.

The municipal elections, although bitter sweet, were declared a victory by the FMLN as they increased their number of seats in the National Assembly to 35 out of a possible 84, and will be leading 36 more municipalities, to make a total of 96. Sadly, the capitol city of San Salvador, after a 12 year reign, fell to ARENA. The incumbent Violeta Menjívar lost her position. She was campaigning to the end, even shutting the main intersection of Blvd. Constitucion and Calle San Antonio Abad to throw a New Year’s party complete with multiple music stages, spectacular fireworks, speeches, dancing and general merriment by all. After her speeches that night Menjivar walked through the crowd stopping to shake hands, pose for pictures and answer questions. Her popularity seemed high but San Salvador is just as divided as the rest of the country. So while one area of town was chanting, “Violeta Sigue!” another area was hoping for ARENA to take the city with their mayoral candidate Norman Quijano.

Blanca Flor Bonilla

Also busy campaigning for a mayoral seat was Blanca Flor Bonilla. A long time member of the FMLN, she was running in the municipality of Ayutuxtepeque. Bonilla won her position and will be taking the city’s lead in May when the new term begins. Her plans for the mostly rural city are to create a showcase for eco agriculture. During a strategy meeting with her team, Bonilla explained in her clear, matter of fact way that pollution should not be seen as just damaging the environment, “If it’s bad for the trees it is bad for the people.” While Ayutuxtepeque will undoubtedly gain much having Bonilla as their mayor, after working for the FMLN since 1974, the Party will surely feel her loss.

All eyes are now turning to the Presidential elections which are set to take place Sunday March 15.