(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – A former Catholic bishop leading a coalition of left-leaning opposition parties is the most popular presidential contender in Paraguay, according to a poll by Ati Snead released by Radio Cáritas. 43.5 per cent of respondents would vote for Fernando Lugo in next year’s election.
(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – A former Catholic bishop leading a coalition of left-leaning opposition parties is the most popular presidential contender in Paraguay, according to a poll by Ati Snead released by Radio Cáritas. 43.5 per cent of respondents would vote for Fernando Lugo in next year’s election.
Current vice-president Luis Castiglioni of the ruling National Republican Association – Red Party (ANR) is second with 32.5 per cent, followed by founder of the National Union of Ethical Citizens (UNACE) Lino Oviedo with 12.7 per cent, and Pedro Fadul of the Beloved Homeland Party (PPQ) with two per cent.
In a different scenario—with current education minister Blanca Ovelar as the ANR’s candidate—Lugo is first with 44.5 per cent, followed by Ovelar with 21.5 per cent, Oviedo with 16.9 per cent, and Fadul again with two per cent.
The ANR candidate will be defined in a primary election scheduled for December. The list of contenders includes Castiglioni, Ovelar, and ANR leader José Alberto Alderete.
Nicanor Duarte won the April 2003 presidential election as the ANR candidate with 37.1 per cent of all cast ballots. The ANR has been involved in Paraguay’s government since 1947, even during the dictatorship of Alfredo Stroessner. Duarte is not eligible for a new term.
On Sept. 17, Lugo oversaw the creation of the Patriotic Alliance for Change (APC)—which brings together seven opposition parties—and ruled out an eventual agreement with Oviedo.
On Nov. 20, Oviedo said Lugo will "not win the elections because he lied to the Catholic faith; to religious people," adding. "There are 80 per cent of us who are religious. (…) Lugo lied to the Pope (because he left priesthood). If he lied to God’s representative on Earth, what about us?"
The next presidential election is scheduled for April 2008.
Polling Data
Option 1 – Which of these candidates would you vote for in the next presidential election?
|
Fernando Lugo (APC) |
43.5% |
|
Luis Castiglioni (ANR) |
32.5% |
|
Lino Oviedo (UNACE) |
12.7% |
|
Pedro Fadul (PPQ) |
2.0% |
|
Not sure |
9.3% |
Option 2 – Which of these candidates would you vote for in the next presidential election?
|
Fernando Lugo (APC) |
44.5% |
|
Blanca Ovelar (ANR) |
21.5% |
|
Lino Oviedo (UNACE) |
16.9% |
|
Pedro Fadul (PPQ) |
2.0% |
|
Not sure |
15.0% |
Source: Ati Snead / Radio Cáritas
Methodology: Interviews with 1,900 Paraguayan adults, conducted from Nov. 9 to Nov. 16, 2007. Margin of error is 2.9 per cent.
