Paraguay's Patria Querida says united council list aims to halt Asunción abuses

In Asunción, Paraguay, a significant political maneuver is underway as 14 opposition parties have coalesced into a single slate of candidates for the municipal council elections in October. Dubbed "Unidos por Asunción" (United for Asunción), this alliance is designed to challenge the long-standing dominance of the Colorado Party and, according to its proponents, curb perceived "historical abuses" against the city's taxpayers.

Lawmaker Rocío Vallejo and councilwoman Jazmín Galeano, key figures from the Patria Querida Party (PPQ), detailed the strategy in a recent interview. They emphasized that the coalition is not a hasty arrangement but the result of over a year of meticulous negotiations. The primary objective, they explained, is to consolidate opposition votes, thereby preventing the dispersion that has historically benefited the ruling party. This effort has already succeeded in reducing the number of council candidate lists from 22 to just nine for the upcoming elections.

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We need that numerical force to stop the constant abuses against Asuncenos.

Galeano, who is seeking re-election and is listed as Option 19 on the unified ticket, acknowledged that the current opposition's lack of numerical strength on the municipal council has systematically hampered their ability to influence decisions. "We need that numerical force to stop the constant abuses against Asuncenos," she stated, highlighting the need for a real majority to effect change. She also noted that the candidate placements on the unified list reflect the democratic outcomes of each party's internal elections, with Sebastián Garay leading the ticket as Option 1 based on his performance in his party's primaries.

Vallejo pointed to the "unlocked lists" system, or preferential voting, as a factor that levels the playing field for candidates. She expressed confidence that Patria Querida would at least maintain its current three council seats and potentially expand its representation to five. "Each one will do their own campaign," Vallejo said, suggesting that individual candidate efforts will be crucial under the new system, which diminishes the impact of ballot order.

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Each one will do their own campaign.