Guatemalan Christian Democracy
Encyclopedia
The Guatemalan Christian Democracy (Democracia Cristiana Guatemalteca), founded 24 August 1955, was a political party
in Guatemala
. It was a moderate reformist party, although also anti-Communist. It first won congressional seats in [Guatemalan parliamentary election, 1955|1955]]. In 1957
, it contested presidential elections but placed third, and remained in opposition. Not taking part in the 1966 elections, it placed third again in 1970
. In 1974
, DCG was part of the National Opposition Front that nominated Efraín Ríos Montt
as its candidate and emerged as the largest opposition force in Guatemala; however, the legality of that election, in which Ríos Montt lost to Kjell Laugerud García, remains a matter of dispute.http://www.frontpagemag.com/Articles/Read.aspx?GUID=FE630CCA-DD85-4102-B9F5-85A0429A4CCF The party placed third again in 1978
and was part of the National Opposition Union in 1982 which placed third. Though a legal opposition party, many of its activists were targeted during the height of political violence under military rule. Like other opposition parties, it initially welcomed the 1982 coup that brought Ríos Montt to power, but would press for the restoration of constitutional government.
The party was one of the leading forces in the Constitutional Assembly elected in 1984
. Its presidential candidate Vinicio Cerezo
was successful in the 1985 election
, winning a comfortable plurality in the first round and easily in the second round, with DCG winning 51 out of 100 congressional seats. Its political strength subsequently declined, with Luis Alfonso Cabrera Hidalgo placing third in 1990
and being reduced to 27 seats (out of 116) in Congress. In 1995
it backed Fernando Andrade Dias-Duran as part of a three-party coalition which placed third in the race. It did not field a presidential candidate in 1999
and won 2 seats.
held on November 9 2003, the party won 3.2% of the popular vote and 1 out of 158 seats in Congress
. Its presidential candidate Jacobo Arbenz Vilanova (son of former president Jacobo Arbenz Guzmán
) won 1.6% in the presidential elections of the same day.
held on September 9 2007, the DCG secured 26,190 votes (0.83% of the total) in the race for national-list deputies and, save for defections, will have no representation in the 2008-12 Congress. In the presidential election held on the same day, its candidate Vinicio Cerezo Blandón (Cerezo Arévalo's son) received 16,529 votes (0.50%).
Having failed to secure the minimum of 5% of the popular vote or one seat in Congress, the DCG will forfeit its registration as a party.http://www.prensalibre.com/pl/2007/septiembre/12/182265.html
Political party
A political party is a political organization that typically seeks to influence government policy, usually by nominating their own candidates and trying to seat them in political office. Parties participate in electoral campaigns, educational outreach or protest actions...
in Guatemala
Guatemala
Guatemala is a country in Central America bordered by Mexico to the north and west, the Pacific Ocean to the southwest, Belize to the northeast, the Caribbean to the east, and Honduras and El Salvador to the southeast...
. It was a moderate reformist party, although also anti-Communist. It first won congressional seats in [Guatemalan parliamentary election, 1955|1955]]. In 1957
Guatemalan general election, 1957
General elections were held in Guatemala on 20 October 1957. Miguel Ortiz Passarelli won the presidential election. However, the elections were nullified on 23 October 1957 following protests against electoral fraud.-President:-Bibliography:...
, it contested presidential elections but placed third, and remained in opposition. Not taking part in the 1966 elections, it placed third again in 1970
Guatemalan general election, 1970
General elections were held in Guatemala on 1 March 1970. No candidate received over 50% of the vote in the presidential election, resulting in Carlos Manuel Arana Osorio being elected by Congress on 21 March. The National Liberation Movement-Institutional Democratic Party alliance won the...
. In 1974
Guatemalan general election, 1974
General elections were held in Guatemala on 3 March 1974. No candidate received more than 50% of the vote in the presidential election, resulting in Kjell Eugenio Laugerud García being elected president by Congress on 12 March. The Congressional elections were won by an alliance of the...
, DCG was part of the National Opposition Front that nominated Efraín Ríos Montt
Efraín Ríos Montt
José Efraín Ríos Montt is a former de facto President of Guatemala, dictator, army general, and former president of Congress. In the 2003 presidential elections, he unsuccessfully ran as the candidate of the ruling Guatemalan Republican Front .Huehuetenango-born Ríos Montt remains one of the most...
as its candidate and emerged as the largest opposition force in Guatemala; however, the legality of that election, in which Ríos Montt lost to Kjell Laugerud García, remains a matter of dispute.http://www.frontpagemag.com/Articles/Read.aspx?GUID=FE630CCA-DD85-4102-B9F5-85A0429A4CCF The party placed third again in 1978
Guatemalan general election, 1978
General elections were held in Guatemala on 5 March 1978. No candidate received more than 50% of the vote in the presidential election, resulting in Fernando Romeo Lucas García being elected president by Congress on 13 March. The Congressional elections were won by the National Liberation...
and was part of the National Opposition Union in 1982 which placed third. Though a legal opposition party, many of its activists were targeted during the height of political violence under military rule. Like other opposition parties, it initially welcomed the 1982 coup that brought Ríos Montt to power, but would press for the restoration of constitutional government.
The party was one of the leading forces in the Constitutional Assembly elected in 1984
Guatemalan Constitutional Assembly election, 1984
Constitutional Assembly elections were held in Guatemala on 10 June 1984. Although the National Centre Union received the most votes, an alliance of the National Liberation Movement and Nationalist Authentic Centre emerged as the largest bloc with 23 of the 88 seats. Voter turnout was...
. Its presidential candidate Vinicio Cerezo
Vinicio Cerezo
Marco Vinicio Cerezo Arévalo is a Guatemalan politician. He served as President of Guatemala from 14 January 1986 to 14 January 1991 and currently sits in Congress.-Career:...
was successful in the 1985 election
Guatemalan general election, 1985
General elections were held in Guatemala on 3 November 1985, with a second round of the presidential elections taking place on 8 December. The presidential election resulted in a victory for Vinicio Cerezo, who had received $650,000 towards his campaign from media owner Remigio Ángel González...
, winning a comfortable plurality in the first round and easily in the second round, with DCG winning 51 out of 100 congressional seats. Its political strength subsequently declined, with Luis Alfonso Cabrera Hidalgo placing third in 1990
Guatemalan general election, 1990
General elections were held in Guatemala on 16 November 1990. with a second round of the presidential election held on 6 January 1991. The presidential election resulted in a victory for Jorge Antonio Serrano Elías of the Movement of Action in Solidarity, whilst the National Centre Union won the...
and being reduced to 27 seats (out of 116) in Congress. In 1995
Guatemalan general election, 1995
General elections were held in Guatemala on 12 November 1995, with a second round of the presidentail elections held on 7 January 1996. Álvaro Arzú of the National Advancement Party won the presidential election, whilst his party also won the Congressional elections...
it backed Fernando Andrade Dias-Duran as part of a three-party coalition which placed third in the race. It did not field a presidential candidate in 1999
Guatemalan general election, 1999
General elections were held in Guatemala on 7 November 1999, with a second round of the presidential elections on 26 December. Alfonso Portillo won the presidential elections, whilst his Guatemalan Republican Front also won the Congressional elections...
and won 2 seats.
2003 election
In the legislative electionsElections in Guatemala
Elections in Guatemala include, on the national level, a head of state – the president – and a unicameral legislature.Guatemala's president and vice-president are elected on one ballot for a four year term by the people...
held on November 9 2003, the party won 3.2% of the popular vote and 1 out of 158 seats in Congress
Congress of Guatemala
The Congress of the Republic is the unicameral legislature of the Republic of Guatemala.It comprises 158 deputies, who are elected by direct universal suffrage to serve four-year terms . Twenty-nine of these are elected from nationwide lists, with the rest on a district list basis...
. Its presidential candidate Jacobo Arbenz Vilanova (son of former president Jacobo Arbenz Guzmán
Jacobo Arbenz Guzmán
Colonel Jacobo Árbenz Guzmán was a Guatemalan military officer and politician who served as Defense Minister of Guatemala from 1944–1951, and as President of Guatemala from 1951 to 1954....
) won 1.6% in the presidential elections of the same day.
2007 election
In the legislative electionsElections in Guatemala
Elections in Guatemala include, on the national level, a head of state – the president – and a unicameral legislature.Guatemala's president and vice-president are elected on one ballot for a four year term by the people...
held on September 9 2007, the DCG secured 26,190 votes (0.83% of the total) in the race for national-list deputies and, save for defections, will have no representation in the 2008-12 Congress. In the presidential election held on the same day, its candidate Vinicio Cerezo Blandón (Cerezo Arévalo's son) received 16,529 votes (0.50%).
Having failed to secure the minimum of 5% of the popular vote or one seat in Congress, the DCG will forfeit its registration as a party.http://www.prensalibre.com/pl/2007/septiembre/12/182265.html