Nakayama's Return to PLRA: Relevant Figure, But Presidential Candidacy Not Guaranteed, Says Official

Senator Eduardo Nakayama's impending return to the Authentic Radical Liberal Party (PLRA) has been met with acknowledgment of his political significance, though party officials caution against assuming it guarantees him the top spot on the ticket. Second Vice President of the Chamber of Deputies, Pastor Vera Bejarano, stated that while Nakayama is a "relevant figure" who can "contribute" to the PLRA, it would be "absurd" to suggest his return automatically means he will lead the presidential slate.

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He is a figure, without a doubt, relevant within Paraguayan politics, the Senate, the Party and a man who has acceptable conduct: an outstanding one.

Vera Bejarano, a member of the PLRA's Nuevo Liberalismo faction, recognized Nakayama as a "relevant figure within Paraguayan politics, the Senate, and the Party," noting his "acceptable" conduct. He believes Nakayama can "contribute greatly to the party." However, Vera Bejarano stressed that if Nakayama harbors presidential aspirations for 2028, he must first compete within the PLRA and then potentially with other opposition sectors.

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He can contribute greatly to the party.

The legislator emphasized that Nakayama's return should not be conditioned on him automatically heading the presidential ticket. He explained that other important figures within the party also possess the merits and capabilities to contend for the nomination. Vera Bejarano suggested that Nakayama will likely negotiate "less relevant issues" rather than making the presidential candidacy a non-negotiable condition for his return.

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I don't think it's a condition. It wouldn't seem rational to me for him to give those conditions (being defined as presidential candidate). He will surely negotiate some less relevant issues than conditioning a candidacy.

He added that aspirations are legitimate for any politician, but this does not exempt them from the internal party process. Decisions regarding the best presidential profile, considering the broader opposition spectrum, will likely be analyzed more rigorously after the municipal elections. Vera Bejarano reiterated that it would not be rational for Nakayama to set such a condition, implying that Nakayama's influence within the party, while significant, does not grant him automatic presidential candidacy.

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Aspirations are legitimate for any politician, but that does not prevent them from entering the dance, as they say, and well, after the municipal elections, it will surely be analyzed with greater rigor who has the best profile, even in the general opposition spectrum.