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Dionisio's Proposal to Bachi: Preparing for Cartes' Re-election or Active Senate Seat in Exchange for Runoff Vote
🇵🇾 Paraguay /Elections & Politics

Dionisio's Proposal to Bachi: Preparing for Cartes' Re-election or Active Senate Seat in Exchange for Runoff Vote

From ABC Color · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Paraguayan senators are reportedly discussing a constitutional reform that would allow for a presidential "balotaje" (runoff vote) in exchange for allowing former President Horacio Cartes to seek re-election.
  • The proposal emerged from discussions about regulating the lifetime senate position for Cartes, the current head of the National Republican Association (ANR).
  • A liberal senator suggested including presidential re-election in the reform, arguing it would lead to a more "promising" future for Paraguay and allow for sensible constitutional debate.

A political maneuver is reportedly underway in Paraguay, with discussions centering on a constitutional reform that could pave the way for a presidential "balotaje," or second-round vote, in exchange for allowing former President Horacio Cartes to pursue re-election. The proposal appears to stem from discussions surrounding the regulation of Cartes' lifetime senate position.

Of course, let's put all our eggs in one basket.

— Dionisio AmarillaSenator Dionisio Amarilla responded affirmatively when asked if a constitutional reform could include presidential re-election.

Senator Basilio “Bachi” Núñez of the National Republican Association (ANR), who heads the Senate, has been advocating for a controversial bill to "regulate" the lifetime senate position, which critics argue oversteps the constitution. Núñez had previously suggested that Cartes, the current ANR leader, should head the party's senatorial list in the 2028 general elections.

If they want a promising 2028 for the Republic of Paraguay, I think we politicians are in a position to discuss a profound reform of the National Constitution.

— Dionisio AmarillaSenator Amarilla argued for a broad constitutional reform to shape the country's future.

Dionisio Amarilla, a leader within the liberal-Cartist bloc, has amplified the discussion, proposing not only a law to enable Cartes' active senate role but a full constitutional reform. This reform, he suggests, should include presidential re-election. Amarilla framed this as a necessary step for a "promising" 2028 for Paraguay, urging politicians to engage in a "profound discussion of the National Constitution."

I believe that today we are in a condition for sensible Paraguayans to sit down and discuss a renewed constitutional framework.

— Dionisio AmarillaAmarilla addressed concerns about authoritarianism, suggesting a mature approach to constitutional revision.

Amarilla dismissed concerns about authoritarianism, noting that 40 years have passed since the end of dictator Alfredo Stroessner's rule. He believes Paraguayans are now capable of sensible debate on a renewed constitutional framework. He also sees the "balotaje" as a beneficial mechanism for opposition parties, allowing smaller forces like the PLRA and a "third force" to measure their strength, with the winner potentially gaining broader political support. This, he argued, could prevent the division of the opposition, citing potential candidates like Miguel Prieto.

How do we apply the anti-division dose to the Payos? Precisely by going to the balotaje.

— Dionisio AmarillaAmarilla explained how the runoff vote system could prevent opposition fragmentation.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Color in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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