| Paraguay |
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Politics of Paraguay takes place in a framework of a presidential representative democratic republic (whereby the President of Paraguay is both head of state and head of government) and of a multi-party system. 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.
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Paraguay's highly centralized government was fundamentally changed by the 1992 constitution, which reinforced a division of powers that in the previous two Constitutions existed mostly on paper.
| Office | Name | Party | Since |
|---|---|---|---|
| President of Paraguay | Fernando Lugo | Tekojoja Movement / Patriotic Alliance for Change | 15 August 2008 |
| Vice President of Paraguay | Federico Franco | Authentic Radical Liberal Party | 15 August 2008 |
The president, popularly elected for a 5-year term, appoints a cabinet. The president nominates the Council of Ministers. The presidential elections of 2008 were won on 20 April 2008 by Fernando Lugo, a Roman Catholic bishop whose ministerial duties have been suspended on his request by the Holy See. It's the first time in 61 years that the Colorado Party lost a presidential election in Paraguay, and only a second time that a leftist will serve as president (first time was in 1936-37) and first time freely elected.
The workplace of the President of Paraguay is the Palacio de los López, in Asuncion. The Presidential Residence is Mburuvichá Roga House, also in Asuncion.
Once Presidents leave office, they are granted by the Constitution the speaking-but-non-voting position of Senator for life.
In Paraguay, the post of First Lady is official, and thus the Office of the First Lady the Nation of the Republic of Paraguay was created.
According to Paraguayan law, this office depends structurally and financially upon the Presidency of the Republic. The office exercises mainly social functions, but also those related to health, through the REPADEH Foundation.
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.
| Candidates | Parties | Votes | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oscar Nicanor Duarte Frutos | Colorado Party | 573,594 | 38.3 |
| Julio César Ramón Franco Gómez | Authentic Radical Liberal Party | 369,963 | 24.7 |
| Pedro Nicolás Maráa Fadul Niella | Beloved Fatherland Movement | 328,449 | 21.9 |
| Guillermo Sánchez Guffanti | National Union of Ethical Citizens | 208,003 | 14.0 |
| Other | 17,263 | 1.1 | |
| Total (turnout 64.2 %) | 1,497,272 | 100 | |
| Source: Adam Carr | |||
| Parties | Deputies | Chamber of Senators | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Votes | % | Seats | % | Seats | |
| National Republican Association/Colorado Party (Asociación Nacional Republicana/Partido Colorado) | 35.3 | 37 | 32.9 | 16 | |
| Authentic Radical Liberal Party (Partido Liberal Radical Auténtico) | 25.7 | 21 | 24.3 | 12 | |
| Beloved Fatherland Movement (Movimiento Patria Querida) | 15.3 | 10 | 15.2 | 7 | |
| National Union of Ethical Citizens (Unión Nacional de Ciudadanos Éticos) | 14.7 | 10 | 13.7 | 7 | |
| Party for a Country of Solidarity (Partido País Solidario) | 3.3 | 2 | 4.3 | 2 | |
| National Encounter Party (Partido Encuentro Nacional) | 3.1 | - | 2.0 | 1 | |
| Free Fatherland Party (Partido Patria Libre) | 1.1 | - | 1.0 | - | |
| Total (turnout 64 %) | 80 | 45 | |||
| Source: Paraguay Global | |||||
Paraguay's highest court is the Supreme Court of Paraguay. The Senate and the president select its nine members on the basis of recommendations from a constitutionally created Magistrates Council.
The Constitution of Paraguay quotes "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, Central, Concepción, Cordillera, Guairá, Itapúa, Misiones, Ñeembucú, Paraguarí, Presidente Hayes, San Pedro.
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