National Party of Honduras
The National Party of Honduras (PNH; Spanish: Partido Nacional de Honduras) is a political party in Honduras founded on February 27, 1902, by Manuel Bonilla Chirinos. Historically it has been one of the two most influential parties in the country. The party's platform is based on Christian humanist doctrine,[3] and its five main principles are common wealth, dignity of the human person, equality, solidarity and subsidiarity.
National Party of Honduras Partido Nacional de Honduras | |
---|---|
Abbreviation | PNH |
Leader | Juan Orlando Hernández |
President | Reinaldo Sánchez Rivera |
Secretary-General | Mario Pineda |
Founded | 27 February 1902; 116 years ago |
Headquarters | Comayagüela, Honduras |
Youth wing | Nationalist Youth (Juventud Nacionalista) |
Ideology | National conservatism Economic liberalism Nationalism Right-wing populism |
Political position | Right-wing [1][2] |
International affiliation | International Democrat Union Centrist Democrat International (Observer) |
Regional affiliation | Union of Latin American Parties Christian Democrat Organization of America |
Colors | Blue |
Anthem | "Hymn of National Party Of Honduras" |
National Congress | 61 / 128 |
Party flag | |
Website | |
www | |
Since the foundation of the National Party, Honduras has had 13 PNH presidents. Manuel Bonilla was the first (1903–1907), and the most recent is the current president, Juan Orlando Hernández. Since the 2017 election, the National Party is the ruling party of the National Congress and most of the country's municipalities.[4]
History
The ideology of the party can be traced back to national hero Jose Trinidad Cabañas's principles and thinking. Cabañas believed in a strong sense of patriotism, and that national interest was over any other interest. Moreover, in the late 1800s, actors such as Ponciano Leiva and Luis Bogran made efforts to conform an institution which reflected their ideology.[5]
The Progressive Party, led by Ponciano Leiva, joined forces by a movement led by General Manuel Bonilla. On 27 February 1902, in Tegucigalpa, both parties united to form the National Convention, backed by 40,000 signatures from supporters. That event was the birth of the National Party of Honduras.[6]
Symbols
Seal
Fraternity, equality and justice are reflected in the official seal. Holding arms represent fraternity among Honduran citizens. The weighting scale represents equality between men and women. The burning torch shines defending those in need. The seal also states the party's motto: Social Justice with Liberty and Democracy.
Highlighted presidencies
- Ricardo Maduro Joest: During his presidency, Maduro was able to negotiate successfully the full condonance of the nation's external debt.[7] In addition, Maduro was able to implement successful policies in matters of fiscal order and against violence.
- Juan Manuel Gálvez: Galvez promoted modernizing the state. He structured effectively government dependencies through massive construction projects. He was able to conduct a massive road project throughout the country. Moreover, he created the Honduras Central Bank, which made the Lempira Honduras's official currency.
- Tiburcio Carías Andino: During his administration, he took strict measures in order to guarantee stability and harmony amongst society. He was also able to achieve economic stability and an efficient working relationship with private enterprise. Honduras National Stadium is named after him.
Organic structure
- National Convention: Made up from Municipal, State, Regional and national authorities.
- Permanent Commission: Permanent members of the National Convention
- National Committee: Political Commission, Justice Party, Financial and Budget Administration, Political and Ideological Formation
- State Committee: Conformed by the authorities of each of the 18 departments in Honduras
- Local Committee: Counts with Municipal Representation
Mission
"We are a democratic political organization with transforming leaders and a modern ideological agenda, linked with all social sectors in order to generate growth and the well being of all Hondurans."
Vision
"We are a majority political party; we are inclusive and Christian Humanist, with ethic leadership which promotes changes in order to transform the country with democracy, liberty and equal opportunities"
Electoral history
Presidential elections
Election | Party candidate | Votes | % | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|
1902 | Manuel Bonilla | 28,550 | 48.7% | Elected |
1916 | Francisco Bertrand | 77,832 | 100% | Elected |
1923 | Tiburcio Carías Andino | 49,541 | 47.1% | Elected |
1924 | Miguel Paz Barahona | 72,021 | 99% | Elected |
1928 | Tiburcio Carías Andino | 47,745 | 43.38% | Lost |
1932 | 81,211 | Elected | ||
1936 | Elected by Constituent Assembly | |||
1939 | Elected by Congress | |||
1948 | Juan Manuel Gálvez | 254,802 | 99.85% | Elected |
1954 | Tiburcio Carías Andino | 77,726 | 30.85% | Lost |
1971 | Ramón Ernesto Cruz Uclés | 299,807 | 49.28% | Elected |
1981 | Ricardo Zuñiga | 491,089 | 40.43% | Lost |
1985 | Rafael Leonardo Callejas Romero | 701,406 | 45.49% | Lost |
1989 | 916,131 | 52.29% | Elected | |
1993 | Oswaldo Ramos Soto | 735,123 | 42.97% | Lost |
1997 | Nora Gúnera de Melgar | 844,985 | 42.76% | Lost |
2001 | Ricardo Maduro | 1,135,565 | 52.22% | Elected |
2005 | Porfirio Lobo Sosa | 925,243 | 42.15% | Lost |
2009 | 1,212,846 | 56.56% | Elected | |
2013 | Juan Orlando Hernández | 1,149,302 | 36.89% | Elected |
2017 | 1,410,888 | 42.95% | Elected |
National Congress elections
Election | Votes | % | Seats | +/– | Position |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1923 | 15 / 48 |
15 | 2nd | ||
1924 | 46 / 46 |
31 | 1st | ||
1926 | 36 / 46 |
10 | 1st | ||
1928 | 26 / 48 |
10 | 1st | ||
1930 | 23 / 48 |
3 | 1st | ||
1932 | 43 / 56 |
20 | 1st | ||
1934 | 55 / 59 |
12 | 1st | ||
1936 | 132,948 | 99.99% | 59 / 59 |
4 | 1st |
1942 | 45 / 45 |
14 | 1st | ||
1948 | 254,802 | 99.85% | 49 / 49 |
4 | 1st |
1954 | 77,726 | 30.85% | 23 / 59 |
26 | 2nd |
1956 | 2,003 | 00.48% | 0 / 58 |
23 | 3rd |
1957 | 98,088 | 29.57% | 18 / 58 |
18 | 2nd |
1965 | 334,646 | 55.15% | 35 / 64 |
17 | 1st |
1971 | 299,807 | 52.62% | 32 / 64 |
3 | 1st |
1980 | 423,623 | 44.15% | 33 / 71 |
1 | 2nd |
1981 | 491,089 | 41.6% | 34 / 82 |
1 | 2nd |
1985 | 701,406 | 45.49% | 63 / 134 |
29 | 2nd |
1989 | 916,131 | 52.29% | 76 / 128 |
13 | 1st |
1993 | 735,123 | 42.97% | 55 / 128 |
21 | 2nd |
1997 | 844,985 | 42.76% | 55 / 128 |
2nd | |
2001 | 967,733 | 46.46% | 61 / 128 |
6 | 1st |
2005 | 55 / 128 |
6 | 2nd | ||
2009 | 8,561,577 | 53.37% | 71 / 128 |
16 | 1st |
2013 | 9,255,904 | 33.64% | 48 / 128 |
23 | 1st |
2017 | 1,410,888 | 47.66% | 61 / 128 |
13 | 1st |
Controversies
The National Party has been involved in the last few years on several issues of corruption. In 2015, it was discovered that the National Party was using money from the Honduran Social Security in order to finance the campaign of President Juan Orlando Hernandez through an elaborate scheme of companies redirecting Social Security funds to the party.[8] After the scheme was discovered, the President said the money should be returned by the party.[9]
Former President Porfirio Lobo was accused in March 2017 by the New York's DA office for helping protect drug organizations.[10]
References
- "Hondurans Intensify Protests, Demand Resignation of President". NewsClick. 21 June 2019.
The deepening poverty and violence in the country, along with serious accusations against JOH and members of his party, the far-right National Party, of large-scale corruption and involvement in drug trafficking has created deep resentment across the population.
- "'This is a War Against the Honduran People'". Citizen Truth. 15 May 2019.
The president of the Defense Commission of the National Congress, David Chavez Madison, and member of the far-right ruling party the National Party, said in an interview to HCH News that “those who oppose the arrival of Israeli soldiers in the exchange between states is practically in favor of organized crime”
- "Declaration of Principles" (PDF). www.tse.hn.
- "Tribunal Supremo Electoral". siede.tse.hn. Archived from the original on 2017-07-28. Retrieved 2016-01-08.
- "Los 112 años de Fundación del Partido Nacional de Honduras". LaTribuna.hn. 2 March 2014. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016.
- ""Historia de Nuestro Partido"". PartidoNacional.hn. 6 March 2014.
- "Infraestructura vial y condonación de deuda, principales logros del PN - Diario El Heraldo".
- Lakhani, Nina (10 June 2015). "How hitmen and high living lifted lid on looting of Honduran healthcare system". the Guardian.
- "JOH: Partido Nacional de Honduras debe devolver fondos al IHSS - Diario El Heraldo".
- "Ligan a Porfirio Lobo con narco". 19 March 2017.