Angus Reid Global Monitor : Election Tracker

Paraguay

 

Credit:Flag courtesy of ITA's Flags of All Countries used with permission.

Election Date: April 27, 2003

Abstract: At stake: President, National Congress

At stake: President, National Congress

Background

Nicanor Duarte was the winner in Paraguay's presidential election, extending the 56-year rule of the Asociación Nacional Republicana - Partido Colorado (ANR—National Republican Association - Red Party), with almost 40 per cent of the vote. Despite the presidential victory, the Reds lost many seats in Congress and will not hold a majority in either chamber. Duarte was sworn in on Aug. 15.

After enduring the military dictatorship of Alfredo Stroessner for 35 years, Paraguay seemed destined for stability in the early 1990s. Despite the return of democratic elections, attempted coups and assassinations have tarnished the country's recent political history.

Outgoing president Luis Angel González Macchi was regarded as the ideal man to bring the country together, after the crisis of March 1999, which saw the assassination of vice-president Luis María Argaña, and the resignation of president Raúl Cubas. In 1998, Lino Oviedo was charged, convicted and sentenced for mutiny over an alleged coup against Wasmosy’s government in April 1996.

González Macchi barely escaped impeachment in February 2003, on charges ranging from corruption and fraud, to the kidnapping and torture of political rivals.

Despite a controversy over tamper-free suffrage boxes, international observers say the election was clean.

Political Players

President: Nicanor Duarte - Partido Colorado (ANR—Red Party)
Vice-President: Luis Castiglioni - Partido Colorado (ANR—Red Party)

The president and vice-president are elected by popular vote on the same ticket to a five-year term.

Legislative Branch: The Congreso Nacional (National Congress) has two chambers. The Cámara de Diputados (Chamber of Deputies) has 80 members, elected to five-year terms by proportional representation. The Cámara de Senadores (Chamber of Senators) has 45 members, elected to five-year terms by proportional representation.

Results of Last Election:President - Apr. 27, 2003
 

Vote%

Nicanor Duarte - Asociación Nacional Republicana -
Partido Colorado (ANR—National Republican
Association - Red Party)

37.1%

Julio César Franco - Partido Liberal Radical Auténtico
(PLRA—Authentic Liberal Radical Party)

24.0%

Pedro Fadul - Movimiento Patria Querida
(MPQ—Beloved Homeland Movement)

21.3%

Guillermo Sánchez - Unión Nacional de Ciudadanos Éticos
(UNACE—National Union of Ethical Citizens)

13.5%

Chamber of Deputies - Apr. 27, 2003
 

Vote%

Seats

Asociación Nacional Republicana -
Partido Colorado (ANR—National Republican
Association - Red Party)

35.3%

37

Partido Liberal Radical Auténtico
(PLRA—Authentic Liberal Radical Party)

25.7%

21

Movimiento Patria Querida
(MPQ—Beloved Homeland Movement)

15.3%

10

Unión Nacional de Ciudadanos Éticos
(UNACE—National Union of Ethical Citizens)

14.7%

10

Partido País Solidario
(PPS—Party for a Country of Solidarity)

3.3%

2

Partido Encuentro Nacional
(PEN—National Agreement Party)

3.1%

-

Partido Patria Libre
(PPL—Free Motherland Party)

1.1%

-

Chamber of Senators - Apr. 27, 2003
 

Vote%

Seats

Asociación Nacional Republicana -
Partido Colorado (ANR—National Republican
Association - Red Party)

32.9%

16

Partido Liberal Radical Auténtico
(PLRA—Authentic Liberal Radical Party)

24.3%

12

Movimiento Patria Querida
(MPQ—Beloved Homeland Movement)

15.2%

7

Unión Nacional de Ciudadanos Éticos
(UNACE—National Union of Ethical Citizens)

13.7%

7

Partido País Solidario
(PPS—Party for a Country of Solidarity)

4.3%

2

Partido Encuentro Nacional
(PEN—National Agreement Party)

2.0%

-

Partido Patria Libre
(PPL—Free Motherland Party)

1.0%

-

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