Nicaragua's President Daniel Ortega and his wife are set to assume absolute power after loyalist lawmakers Friday approved a constitutional amendment elevating her to the position of "co-president" and boosting the pair's joint control over the state.

Nicaragua's regime announced dozens of constitutional amendments yesterday that include extending President Daniel Ortega's term without elections. Why it matters: Observers say the changes could sound the death knell for the nation's democracy,

Lawmakers in Nicaragua endorsed the constitutional reform which would expand presidential terms and promote Daniel Ortega's wife Rosario Murillo to a co-president.Nicaragua' s parliament on Friday gave their green light to a constitutional reform that hands more power to President Daniel Ortega and his already powerful wife.

(Reuters) - Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega proposed a constitutional reform to expand presidential powers over other branches of government, according to an official document seen by Reuters on Wednesday.

The Nicaraguan parliament, dominated by the ruling Sandinista Front, on Friday approved a constitutional reform that hands more power to President Daniel Ortega, his wife the vice president, as well as the Central American nation's police and military.

The reform, which 79-year-old Ortega sent to Congress on Tuesday "as a matter of urgency" was approved unanimously by 91 Nicaraguan lawmakers. (Reporting by Gabriela Selser; Writing by Sarah Morland;