70 year old Nicaraguan president Daniel Ortega picked his wife, Rosario Murillo on Tuesday to run as his vice presidential candidate ahead of November elections, and his party are heavily favoured to win a third consecutive term.
Mr Ortega, former guerrilla leader, made the announcement as he registered his own candidacy for re-election.
He has previously described the “joint government” with Ms Murillo as a symbol of equality between the sexes.
“We don’t doubt that (the vice presidential candidate) had to be a woman, and who better than the partner who has already been tested with work and proved to be very efficient and disciplined?” said Mr Ortega, cheered by dozens of supporters.
Ms Murillo previously served as the government’s chief spokeswoman. The November 6th vote will also elect Nicaragua’s 90-member national assembly.
Mr Ortega first ruled the Central American country in the 1980s and returned to power as head of the leftist Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN) party in 2007.
Ms Murillo has been affiliated with the FSLN since the 1970s. The couple were married in 2005.