Results from Honduras’ presidential election show Porfirio Lobo will be the country’s new leader. His ascent comes five months after a military coup ousted President Manuel Zelaya. (Opening video and thumbnail image:
Al Jazeera English)
Controversy remains however, both over the legitimacy of the elections themselves, and what they mean for Zelaya.
We’re following perspectives from Al Jazeera English, EuroNews, The Wall Street Journal, BBC News, and France 24.
We start with
Al Jazeera English, who say the legitimacy of Lobo’s election may never be certain.
“The electoral tribunal says the turnout was high, a claim disputed by Zelaya’s supporters, who insist there was much abstention. Both sides have a vested interest in the turnout, which is impossible to verify independently.”
Euronews examines what they say are mixed reactions from Honduras’ neighbors on the election process.
“Deep differences have emerged over the legitimacy of the Honduran presidential poll. Panama, Costa Rica and Peru say they will recognize the election result. However, the majority of those present, including Brazil and Argentina, have said they will not.”The Wall Street Journal, on the other hand, says the results are accurate, despite attempts to sway turnout.
“Militants inside Honduras took to exploding small bombs around the country in the weeks leading to the vote. They hoped that terror might damp turnout and delegitimize the process. They failed.”
An analyst for
BBC News, meanwhile, says current members of the Honduran government are relieved by the result, regardless of whether or not they agree with Lobo’s politics.
“Members of the Honduran government, even though most are not members of Mr. Lobo's party, are looking quietly satisfied too. This is the result they were hoping for: a clear winner and a strong turnout.”
But what about deposed President Manuel Zelaya?
France 24’s correspondent in the Honduran capital says that with many of his supporters now behind Lobo, Zelaya’s resistance movement may not last long.
“There are many indications this political crisis is coming to an end. The ousted President Zelaya – his resistance movement seems to have really dissipated. Many of those members in fact supported this election in the end.”Was Porfirio Lobo fairly elected? What should Lobo do to resolve Zelaya’s resistance? We want to know what you think.
Copy the code and paste it to your blog or website:
