Politics of Paraguay
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Template:Politics of Paraguay Politics of Paraguay takes place in a framework of a presidential representative democratic republic. The National Constitution mandates a separation of powers in three branches. Executive power is exercised solely by the President. Legislative power is vested in the two chambers of the National Congress. The Judiciary power is vested on Tribunals and Courts of Civil Law and a nine-member Supreme Court of Justice, all of them independent of the executive and the legislature.
Historically, Paraguay has been characterized by civil wars, coups and authoritarianism.[1] Paraguay was for several decades under dictatorial rule by Alfredo Stroessner and his Colorado Party until he was ousted from power in 1989, which set off a democratization process.[2][3]
Since 1989, there has been an expansion of civil and political liberties, as well as elections at presidential, congressional, and municipal levels.[2] However, the democratization process has been limited due to the firm control of the Colorado Party on the Paraguay state.[3] The Colorado Party retains power through clientelistic practices.[3] Corruption is widespread in Paraguay.[3] Template:Democracy Index rating After having been rated a "flawed democracy" for 1 year, the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) returned Paraguay's rating to "hybrid regime" in 2024.[4]
Executive branch
[edit]Template:Office-table |President |Santiago Peña |Colorado Party |15 August 2023 |}
The president, popularly elected for one 5-year term with no chance of re-elections, appoints a cabinet. The president nominates the Council of Ministers. The presidential elections of 2008 were won by Fernando Lugo, a Roman Catholic bishop whose ministerial duties have been suspended on his request by the Holy See. It was the first time in 61 years that the Colorado Party lost a presidential election in Paraguay, and only a second time that a leftist served as president after 1936–37, and the first time one was ever freely elected. In 2013, Lugo was removed from office through the process of impeachment. This action was widely hailed as a coup d'état by heads of state throughout Latin America,[5][6] with leaders from nations such as Argentina and Ecuador announcing they would refuse to recognize his successor as the legitimate President of Paraguay.[7]
In May 2023, Santiago Peña of the long-ruling Colorado Party, won the presidential election to succeed Mario Abdo as the next President of Paraguay.[8] On 15 August 2023, Santiago Peña was sworn in as Paraguay's new president.[9]
The workplace of the President of Paraguay is the Palacio de los López, in Asunción. The Presidential Residence is Mburuvichá Roga, also in Asunción. Once presidents leave office, they are granted by the Constitution the speaking-but-non-voting position of Senator for life.
Office of the First Lady
[edit]In Paraguay, the post of the First Lady of Paraguay is official.[citation needed]
Legislative branch
[edit]
The National Congress (Congreso Nacional) has two chambers. The Chamber of Deputies (Cámara de Diputados) has 80 members, elected for a five-year term by proportional representation. The Chamber of Senators (Cámara de Senadores) has 45 members, elected for a five-year term by proportional representation.
Political parties and elections
[edit]Latest elections
[edit]President
[edit]2018 Paraguayan general election
Senate
[edit]2018 Paraguayan general election
Chamber of Deputies
[edit]Judicial branch
[edit]
Paraguay's highest court is the Supreme Court of Paraguay.
Administrative divisions
[edit]The Constitution of Paraguay states "The law will regulate the various areas in which these officials and employees can provide their services, including the judicial, the diplomatic and consular professions, the areas of scientific and technological research, civil services, military and police. This will not preclude others. " Each of Paraguay's 17 departments is headed by a popularly elected governor. Paraguay is divided in 17 departments (departamentos, singular – departamento) and one capital city; Alto Paraguay, Alto Paraná, Amambay, Asunción (city), Boquerón, Caaguazú, Caazapá, Canindeyú, Concepción, Cordillera, Guairá, Itapúa, Ñeembucú, Paraguarí, Presidente Hayes, San Pedro.
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ↑ Valenzuela, Arturo (1997). "Paraguay: The Coup that Didn't Happen". Journal of Democracy. 8 (1): 43–55. doi:10.1353/jod.1997.0014. ISSN 1086-3214.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Lambert, Peter (2000). "A decade of electoral democracy: continuity, change and crisis in Paraguay". Bulletin of Latin American Research. 19 (3): 379–396. doi:10.1016/S0261-3050(00)00002-4. ISSN 0261-3050.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Nickson, Andrew (2025). "The Legacies of the Stroessner Dictatorship in Paraguay". Current History. 124 (859): 68–73. doi:10.1525/curh.2025.124.859.68. ISSN 0011-3530.
- ↑ "Democracy Index 2024". Economist Intelligence Unit. Retrieved 5 May 2025.
- ↑ "Paraguay likely to return long-dominant conservative party after brush with leftist bishop". Associated Press. 25 March 2015. Retrieved 5 May 2025.
- ↑ "Does Paraguay risk pariah status with president's ouster?". Christian Science Monitor. ISSN 0882-7729. Retrieved 5 May 2025.
- ↑ "Argentina "no convalidará el golpe en Paraguay" mientras que Brasil sugirió que quedaría fuera de la Unasur y el Mercosur - lanacion.com". 26 June 2012. Archived from the original on 26 June 2012. Retrieved 5 May 2025.
- ↑ "Amid protests, authorities uphold legitimacy of Paraguay election". www.aljazeera.com.
- ↑ Desantis, Daniela; Elliott, Lucinda; Elliott, Lucinda (16 August 2023). "Paraguay's President Pena sworn in, Taiwan VP in attendance". Reuters.