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Priest Still Ahead in Paraguayan Election
(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - A Catholic priest remains the favourite contender in Paraguay's next presidential contest, according to a poll by COIN published in Última Hora. 37.3 per cent of respondents would vote for Fernando Lugo in the April 2008 ballot.
Lugo, who served as bishop in the diocese of San Pedro—located in one of Paraguay's poorest areas—was "suspended" from his clerical duties by the Vatican in February. The Catholic authority in Rome bans priests from getting involved in politics. Lugo had submitted his resignation from the clergy last year.
Lino Oviedo—the founder of the National Union of Ethical Citizens (UNACE)—is second with 16.4 per cent, followed by incumbent president Nicanor Duarte of the National Republican Association - Red Party (ANR) with 14.9 per cent, and incumbent vice-president Luis Castiglioni with 6.4 per cent.
Duarte won the April 2003 presidential election 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. State workers and employees make up 40 per cent of Paraguay's voting population.
On Feb. 16, Duarte—who is not eligible for re-election—discussed the impending process, saying, "If the law allows myself, Lugo and Oviedo to take part in the election, we'll have a democratic competition following constitutional norms and the people will decide who is going to be their president."
Polling Data
Which of these candidates would you vote for in the next presidential election?
Fernando Lugo | 37.3% |
Lino Oviedo | 16.4% |
Nicanor Duarte | 14.9% |
Luis Castiglioni | 6.4% |
Source: COIN / Última Hora
Methodology: Interviews to 1,600 Paraguayan adults, conducted from Jan. 13 to Feb. 7, 2007. Margin of error is 2.5 per cent.