A Historic Day

"Today marks the end of an elitist Paraguay, a secretive Paraguay, a Paraguay famous for corruption. Today marks the beginning of a Paraguay in which the authorities will be relentless against thieves."*

Fernando Lugo, the former bishop who won the presidential elections on 20th April, was sworn in today as the first non-Colorado Party president for 61 years. In a break from protocol, he wore a Paraguayan hand-embroidered shirt, without tie or jacket, and wore his trademark sandals rather than shoes. His image identifies him with his people; with the marginalised and half-forgotten communities of indigenous and disadvantaged Paraguayans, rather than the political and social elite.

He was elected on a platform of bringing change after so many years of Colorado rule. His manifesto focused on tackling poverty, corruption and the lack of jobs, which are seen by Paraguayans as being the reasons the country has not experienced the economic growth of its neighbours.

He is radical in more than just his dress: Last night he stated in an interview that he would not be taking a salary for his work as president. He said he didn't enter politics to make money or become rich. THIS IS HUGE in a country where politicians who are given positions of more power are usually soon seen to be buying bigger houses and better cars.

I get the impression that here is a man who really believes what he says he stands for. His work as a priest and bishop was among the poor and marginalised, and it is apparent his policies are more than just election pledges, but actually come from his heart. His voice breaks and he actually sheds tears when talking about justice for the poor.

After being sworn in, he started his speech in Guaraní, the native language spoken by the majority of Paraguayans. He addressed the indigenous communities first, and asked their permission to give the rest of his speech in Spanish. As well as talking about the need to tackle corruption and for land reform, he made it clear that the change people are so hopeful about is not just a matter of policies, but is everyone's responsibility:

"The building of this new Paraguay has a brick in your hands."

"Change is not an electoral issue, it's a cultural gamble, perhaps the most important one in Paraguay's history."

The challenge, he said, "will not be easy, but it will not be impossible."

Let's pray for him.

Here are two good recent articles from the BBC about Lugo:
Paraguay's President Faces Huge Task
Ex-Bishop Takes Paraguay's Helm

Oh, I know it's officially supposed to be "An historic day" but I never say that, so I didn't write it!
*All the quotes here are my own poor translations of what Lugo said. If there's a lack of grace about them, it's my fault, not Lugo's!

© Fiona L Cooper 2008

Photo credit: www.flickr.com/photos/fernandolugoapc/2765112403/in/photostream/

Dawn of a New Era

There's a new hope in the air after last weekend's elections. Many could hardly believe that the reign of the Colorado Party was finally over. The atmosphere at work on Monday was reminiscent of the 1997 defeat of the Conservative Party by Labour in the general elections. Everyone was smiling and no-one talked about anything else. Newspapers are calling the 20th April 2008 the second most important date in recent history (after the 3rd of February 1989, when the dictator Stroessner died). It is the first time ever that power has passed from one party to another without bloodshed. According to one commentator, Lugo's win has brought back the desire to live in this country where so many have known nothing but disappointment, broken promises and corruption for so long. Many Paraguayans who have gone abroad in search of work are now considering returning because of this change. No-one knows just what Lugo will do once he takes control of the country, but people obviously have faith in him; he inspires confidence in a way the Colorados had not done for a long time.



On Friday, the vice-president elect, Federico Franco (on left in photo with Fernando Lugo), told the newspapers that he had been offered US$1,000,000 by an organisation if he would sign a document for them. He refused to say who it was or what it was for. He made it quite clear in his statement to the press that he never accepted any kind of bribe from anyone in his previous roles of mayor and governor and would continue to reject any offers made to him in the future. This is truly hope-inspiring news! Corruption is one of the three biggest problems in the country, according to Paraguayans (the other two being poverty and lack of jobs) and if the new administration has started out being this transparent, it bodes well for the future. I'm feeling quite excited for Paraguay!

New President for Paraguay

Fernando Lugo en Trinidad, originally uploaded by Fernando Lugo APC.

This is Fernando Lugo, Paraguay's newly-elected president. He was a priest and then bishop for many years in a very poor part of Paraguay. He has gained a lot of support because of increasing disenchantment with the corruption and continued poverty exacerbated by the ruling Colorado party, which has held power for 61 years. He declares himself to be on the centre-left of the political spectrum and leads a coalition of a large number of parties of varying ideologies. He is influenced by liberation theology (which emphasises God's preferential option for the poor) and has caught the hearts and minds of a Paraguayan people ready for change.

Among his fellow candidates were the ruling party's candidate, Blanca Ovelar (the first woman presidential candidate) and a former army general, Lino Oviedo, who has spent time in prison for organising a coup and is suspected of being behind the assassination of a former vice-president. There was a fourth candidate, Pedro Fadul, who, in debates, demonstrated confidence, experience and passion, but failed to win widespread support.

It seems to me that Paraguayans vote with their hearts rather than their heads, to a degree much greater than that in the UK. The campaigns of all three of the leading candidates were very strong on emotion and very weak on actual policies and ideas.


I worry a little about Lugo's presidency. His heart is definitely in the right place, but he has no political experience. Will he be able to effect the changes he proposes? Will he hold together the broad coalition in parliament well enough to put his policies into practice? Will he be able to hold out against the corruption that is so endemic in this country?

Lugo won with about 41% of the vote, ahead of Blanca with about 31% and Oviedo with 22%. Fadul trailed behind with about 3%. It was interesting to note that there was a general assumption that there would be electoral fraud to some degree. The attitude of the commentators to this was to consider how best to manage it rather than how to eradicate it. This gives an indication of the level of corruption that exists here. Fortunately, there was a high voter turn-out (65%), which meant the effects of any fraud were minimal.

Today has been a historic day for Paraguay. Let's pray for the hope that is inspired by this new beginning to be fulfilled in an honest, transparent and competent leadership for the country.