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.

The Economist Intelligence Unit rated Paraguay a "flawed democracy" in 2023.[1]

Executive branch

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Main office-holders
Office Name Party Since
President Santiago Peña Colorado Party 15 August 2023
 
Palacio de los López

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 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 will serve as president (first time was in 1936–37) and first time freely elected.

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.[2] On 15 August 2023, Santiago Peña was sworn in as Paraguay's new president.[3]

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

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In Paraguay, the post of the First Lady of Paraguay is official.[citation needed]

Legislative branch

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Congress of Paraguay

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

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Latest elections

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President

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CandidatePartyVotes%
Mario Abdo BenítezColorado Party1,206,06748.96
Efraín AlegreGreat Renewed National Alliance1,110,46445.08
Juan Bautista YbáñezParaguay Green Party84,0453.41
Jaro AnzoáteguiNational Artists' Movement15,4900.63
Atanasio GaleanoPopular Patriotic Movement Party9,9080.40
Ramón Ernesto BenítezPatriotic Reserve Movement9,3610.38
Pedro AlmadaBroad Front Party8,5900.35
Efraín EnríquezNational Sovereign Movement7,2910.30
Celino FerreiraMovimiento Civico Nacional Unamonos6,2950.26
Justo Germán OrtegaHeirs Democratic Socialist Party5,9300.24
Total2,463,441100.00
Valid votes2,463,44194.82
Invalid votes71,9242.77
Blank votes62,6242.41
Total votes2,597,989100.00
Registered voters/turnout4,241,50761.25
Source: TSJE

Senate

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PartyVotes%Seats+/–
Colorado Party766,84132.5217–2
Authentic Radical Liberal Party570,20524.18130
Guasú Front279,00811.836+1
Beloved Fatherland Party159,6256.773+3
Hagamos Party105,3754.472New
Progressive Democratic Party86,2163.662–1
National Crusade Movement58,4092.481New
National Union of Ethical Citizens49,8892.121–1
Green Party37,8121.6000
We are Paraguay34,6231.470New
National Encounter Party30,3651.290–1
Plurinational Indigenous Political Movement25,7851.090New
Christian Democratic Party16,6190.700New
Secure Paraguay15,0050.640New
Party of the Movement for Socialism14,7730.630New
Patriotic Reserve Movement14,3970.610New
Revolutionary Febrerista Party14,3320.6100
Kuña Pyrenda Movement9,7950.4200
Civic Compromise9,5420.400New
Concertación Nacional Avancemos País9,4780.400New
Party of the A8,9340.380New
All for Paraguay United Movement7,2690.310New
National Artists' Movement6,7750.290New
Us5,9480.250New
Heirs Democratic Socialist Party5,2750.220New
National Political Sovereignty Movement5,0650.210New
Movimiento Civico Nacional Unamonos5,0400.210New
Broad Front Party3,4030.140New
Union and Equality Political Movement2,5000.110New
Total2,358,303100.00450
Valid votes2,358,30391.11
Invalid votes92,7163.58
Blank votes137,2775.30
Total votes2,588,296100.00
Registered voters/turnout4,241,50761.02
Source: TSJE

Chamber of Deputies

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PartyVotes%Seats+/–
Colorado Party927,18339.1042–2
Authentic Radical Liberal Party420,82117.7417
Great Renewed National Alliance286,51312.0813
Beloved Fatherland Party105,7654.463+2
Hagamos Party75,6013.192New
National Encounter Party75,5143.1820
National Union of Ethical Citizens65,5932.770–2
Guasú Front42,8911.810–1
Green Party42,0531.7700
National Crusade Movement33,4171.411New
Progressive Democratic Party27,9321.1800
Christian Democratic Party26,7831.130New
Civic Compromise21,6510.910New
Broad Front Party20,5940.870New
We are Paraguay18,0600.760New
Concertación Nacional Avancemos País16,0700.680New
Revolutionary Febrerista Party15,1690.640New
National Artists' Movement11,7270.490New
Youth Party10,8710.4600
Us10,8160.460New
Secure Paraguay9,6510.410New
Patriotic Reserve Movement9,6480.410New
Civic Participation Party9,5670.400New
Party of the A9,0430.380New
Heirs Democratic Socialist Party8,8320.370New
Itapua for All Alliance8,6830.370New
Plurinational Indigenous Political Movement8,0940.340New
Movimiento Civico Nacional Unamonos7,2410.310New
Party of the Movement for Socialism6,2070.260New
All for Paraguay United Movement5,8710.250New
Ganar Alliance5,4760.230
Party of the Patriotic Popular Movement5,1470.220New
National Political Sovereignty Movement4,4570.190New
Let's Continue Building Alliance4,1830.180New
Union and Equality Political Movement3,7750.160New
Itapuense Front Alliance3,0360.130New
Concertación por Vos2,4070.100New
Party of Popular Unity1,3290.060New
Tekojoja People's Movement1,0460.040New
Movimiento Politico Civico Nacional Unamonos9490.040New
All for Ñeembucu7720.030New
Mbarete Independent Political Movement5950.030New
Teete Patriotic Front Party5740.020New
Total2,371,607100.00800
Valid votes2,371,60791.84
Invalid votes78,4573.04
Blank votes132,2965.12
Total votes2,582,360100.00
Registered voters/turnout4,241,50760.88
Source: TSJE

Judicial branch

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Supreme Court of Paraguay

Paraguay's highest court is the Supreme Court of Paraguay.

Administrative divisions

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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, Central, Concepción, Cordillera, Guairá, Itapúa, Misiones, Ñeembucú, Paraguarí, Presidente Hayes, San Pedro.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Democracy Index 2023: Age of Conflict (PDF). Economist Intelligence Unit (Report). 2024. Archived (PDF) from the original on 9 June 2024. Retrieved 22 July 2024.
  2. ^ "Amid protests, authorities uphold legitimacy of Paraguay election". www.aljazeera.com.
  3. ^ Desantis, Daniela; Elliott, Lucinda; Elliott, Lucinda (16 August 2023). "Paraguay's President Pena sworn in, Taiwan VP in attendance". Reuters.
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