Presidential Elections
April 12th, 2008 Weylin
There’s going to be a presidential election here in Paraguay at the end of this month (April 20th). We’ve been hearing a lot about the candidates and about Paraguayan history over these last couple of months. Three candidates from three parties are competing in this final presidential election:
Blanca Ovelar- Colorado Party, 
The standing president, Nicanor Duarte Frutos, is at his term limit (one term of 5 years- though he did try to pass legislation allowing him to have another term!) and is now running for a senate position (some have indicated this is part of his plan to remain in power). His choosen colorado party successor is Blanca Ovelar (again, some say she was picked as a person loyal to Nicanor, and who will help him stay in power). The colorado party dates back to the late 1940’s when Stroessner came to power here in Paraguay, and having ruled Paraguay for over 61 years it is the longest ruling party in the world! Stroessner used the colorado party to legitimise his dictatorship and to maintain his power. He also used it effectively to supress other groups. Since his rise to power, up though today, the colorado political party has maintained a majority control over the “political” process in Paraguay, even after Stroessner was overthrown in a coup in 1989, February 2-3. Needless to say, there is great historical inertia for another Colrado to take the reins. Adding to this is the fact that Presidents, and ruling parties have the power to appoint in many many governmental positions- so a change in ruling party would lead to a potential in power and influence throughout the country, especially since things get done largely by who you know- more inertia and resistance to change.
This has turned into a lengthier post than I planned, so I will post about the other 2 candidates in upcoming days. For anyone interested in more detailed information about Paraguay, it’s people, culture and history, the Library of Congress has some very comprehensive information.
As we watch the elections process here in Paraguay, I keep wondering what this process has to teach us about the U.S. presidential elections process. These two cultures that are seemingly worlds apart, I believe, actually have a great deal in common if their power structures are looked at from a macro perspective– multiple levels of abstraction away from the details differentiating our peoples.
