Honduran judges throw out single-term limit on presidency

[Judi Lynn]

2. Top Honduran court paves way for presidents to seek re-election

Thu Apr 23, 2015 6:53pm EDT

Top Honduran court paves way for presidents to seek re-election

TEGUCIGALPA


(Reuters) - The Supreme Court of Honduras on Thursday struck down a law that banned presidents from seeking a second term, paving the way for their re-election, a contentious issue at the heart of a coup six years ago.

The decision would allow President Juan Orlando Hernandez to extend his rule, a prospect that opposition parties say is being pushed by ruling National Party leaders.

The unanimous decision from the five-member court was applauded by former President Rafael Callejas, a 71-year-old member of the ruling party who has said he would like to run again.

The fight over presidential reelection led to a bitter political stand-off that ended in a coup against former President Manuel Zelaya in 2009.

More:
http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/04/23/us-honduras-reelection-ruling-idUSKBN0NE2TA20150423?rpc=401

(DU'ers may recall a lot of people insisted there was absolutely no coup whatsoever when Zelaya was kidnapped at gun point, forced onto a plane, taken to the US-shared airport base for refueling, and dropped off in Nicaragua while still wearing his pajamas.)