Abstract

Political parties in Honduras are among the oldest in the Latin American region. They have survived internal discrepancies changing internal and external rules. Competing presidential candidates and movements used to resolve differences with internal elections but creating one single list after that. This list was fulfilled with candidates from all different movements according to the primaries results. With 2004 electoral reforms closed list was removed and preferential ballot were established. These reforms allowed parties to hold primaries elections, deal with intraparty differences, keep dissidents inside and also maintain movements in the ballot for the general elections. This paper will work on the causes for changes in the Honduras’ rules and the consequences for both Liberal (PL) and National Parties (PN).