NICARAGUA- The National Assembly in Nicaragua has approved amendment of the constitution that would allow President Daniel Ortega to run for a third successive term in 2016; a move which the opposition described as threatening to democracy in the country.

 Nicaragua is one of the poorest countries in the region. Its main export is being threatened by coffee rust, a fungus affecting plantations across Central America.

Speaking during the plenary of the assembly, the Sandinista leader at the assembly, Edwin Castro said: "This constitution is not the solution for our problems - poverty or coffee rust - but it allows us to move forward."

It was gathered that the constitutional changes were approved by 64 votes to 25. One independent lawmaker and 63 Sandinistas voted in favour; only three members of the assembly missed the vote.

The National Assembly had approved the bill on a first vote on 10 December.

The reform also scraps the current rule, which says that the winning candidate needs to receive at least 35% of the vote to be appointed president.