Nicaragua's National Assembly (the country's government-controlled legislature) is debating legislation that would prohibit opposition parties from contesting elections, with a vote expected in the first week of August. The move follows a speech by President Daniel Ortega, who has ruled since 2007, in which he declared there would be "no more elections" for the opposition to seek power, accusing rival groups of being US-funded conspirators seeking a coup. The proposal drew condemnation from UN Human Rights chief Volker Türk and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, while exiled opposition figures warned it signals Ortega's intent to transform Nicaragua into a single-party state.