Who's In Charge Here?

IT'S NOT AS IF SHE HADN'T BEEN WARNED. PRESIDENT Violeta Chamorro's ballot-box victory over the Marxist-dominated Sandinistas three years ago, celebrated as a triumph of democracy, dimmed somewhat when she retained several former adversaries in key positions while continually quarreling with her own National Opposition Union (U.N.O.) coalition. Now Madam President has added three more Sandinistas to her Cabinet and announced a new economic plan with emphasis on social issues that appeals to the Sandinistas -- plus a 20% devaluation of the cordoba and a freeze on government spending. Fed up, U.N.O. officially broke with Chamorro, and marched through the streets of Managua vowing to drive her from power. When she inaugurated the year's first National Assembly session Sunday, U.N.O. boycotted, leaving the 39 Sandinista Deputies and eight U.N.O. holdouts to form a new majority. The Sandinistas, the largest political force in the country, again have de facto control over Nicaragua.