The Sandinistas are back in power in Nicaragua with Daniel Ortega's victory in the presidential poll. Much of the international left will be joyous, but unfortunately there's not all that much to cheer about. Ortega's shift from radical/revolutionary to opportunist populist was complete when he signed up for new anti-abortion laws, courted the Catholic church, and opted for renowned Contra supporter Jaime Morales as his vice presidential running mate. Ex-coffee picking brigadier, Andrew Anthony, has had a couple of good pieces on Ortega in the Observer and the Guardian, showing how founding Sandinistas have abandoned their party and the presidential campaign, which essentially represents a new coalition between the old oligarchy and the new Sandinista oligarchy that in power will continue to manage poverty in Nicaragua.
UPDATE: here's the WSWS analysis of Ortega's Victory and the Dead-end of Sandinismo
