National Unity of Hope

The National Unity of Hope (Spanish: Unidad Nacional de la Esperanza, UNE) is a political party in Guatemala. It was founded in 2002 and defines itself as a social-democratic and social-Christian party. It is the largest political party in Guatemala by the number of members.

National Unity of Hope
Unidad Nacional de la Esperanza
AbbreviationUNE
LeaderSandra Torres
SpokespersonÉdgar Rosales
Founded6 September 2002 (2002-09-06)
Split fromNew Nation Alternative
Membership (2023)89,696[1]
IdeologyPopulism[2]
Social conservatism[2]
Historical:
Social democracy
Christian left[3]
Political positionCentre[4][5]
Historical:
Centre-left[6] to left-wing[7]
Regional affiliationCenter-Democratic Integration Group
Continental affiliationCOPPPAL (Observer)
International affiliationSocialist International[8]
Colors  Green
Seats in Congress
52 / 160
Website
www.une.com.gt

2003 election

At the legislative elections held on November 9, 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%.

2007 election

For the 2007 elections, the party again chose Colom as its presidential candidate. He came in first place with 28% of the vote; in the Legislative Election, the party won 22.8% of the vote and 48 seats in Congress, more than any other party. On November 4, 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.[9]

2011 election

In the 2011 elections, 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.

2015 election

In the 2015 elections held on September 6, 2015, the National Unity of Hope won 19.76% of the vote in the first round and 27 seats in Congress. In the second round (run-off) Presidential candidate Sandra Torres placed second in the presidential race with 32.56% of the vote, eventually losing in the October 25 run-off to Jimmy Morales of the National Convergence Front (FCN/Nation).

2019 election

In the 2019 elections held on June 16, 2019, the party again chose Sandra Torres as its presidential candidate. She came in first place in the first round with 25.54% of the vote but lost the second round on August 11, 2019 with 42.05% of the vote to Alejandro Giammattei of the Vamos party; in the Legislative Election, the UNE party won 54 seats in Congress, more than any other party.

2023 election

The National Unity of Hope had an internal division between deputies opponents and supporters of Sandra Torres in 2020, caused by Torres's accusations of corruption and poor electoral results in 2019, as well as her support for the government of Alejandro Giammattei. A faction opposing Torres removed her as leader and expelled her from the party in 2021. However, the Supreme Electoral Tribunal ruled in favor of Torres and allowed her to continue as party leader.[10] A few days after the decision of the electoral court, the opposition group to Sandra Torres announced its resignation from the National Unity of Hope, to found the "Parliamentary Opposition Group", in reference to its parliamentary opposition to the Giammattei government.[11]

The Parliamentary Opposition Group approached the Will, Opportunity and Solidarity political party.[12]

Election results

President of the Republic of Guatemala

Election Candidates First round Second round Status
President Vice President Votes  % Votes  %
2003 Álvaro Colom Fernando Andrade 707,578 26.36 1,046,868 45.87 Lost
2007 Álvaro Colom Rafael Espada 926,236 28.25 1,449,533 52.81 Won
2011 Sandra Torres[lower-alpha 1] Roberto Díaz-Durán Disqualified
2015 Sandra Torres Mario Leal 948,809 19.76 1,328,342 32.56 Lost
2019 Sandra Torres Carlos Raúl Morales 1,112,939 25.42 1,384,044 42.05 Lost
2023 Sandra Torres Romeo Guerra TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD

Congress of the Republic

Election Votes  % Seats +/– Status
2003 457,308 17.92
32 / 158
Increase 32 Opposition
2007 720,285 22.84
52 / 158
Increase 20 Government
2011[lower-alpha 1] 985,610 22.47
48 / 158
Decrease 4 Opposition
2015 676,080 14.83
32 / 158
Decrease 16 Opposition
2019 717,204 17.81
54 / 160
Increase 26 External support
2023 TBA TBA
0 / 160
TBA TBA

Notes

  1. In alliance with Grand National Alliance.

References


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