Paraguayan Supreme Court Reviews Senator's Expulsion Case

The political landscape in Paraguay is currently focused on the Supreme Court of Justice's deliberation regarding the constitutional action filed by former senator Kattya González. ABC Color is closely monitoring the proceedings as the court considers whether her removal from the Senate was lawful. González was expelled on February 14, 2024, by senators belonging to the Colorado Party and their allies, a move that has been met with significant controversy and legal challenges.

“

4 de los 9 votos que deben darse en la Corte Suprema de Justicia.

So far, four of the nine justices on the Supreme Court have cast their votes. This process began with the civil and commercial chamberlains, Miguel Ángel Rodas Ruiz Díaz and Esteban Armando Kriskovich De Vargas, followed by Court ministers Víctor Ríos Ojeda and Gustavo Santander Dans. The case now rests with minister Alberto Martínez Simón for the crucial fifth vote, after which it will proceed through the remaining justices.

“

Con el voto del ministro Gustavo Santander Dans ya son cuatro los votos emitidos por la Corte Suprema de Justicia (CSJ) en la acción de inconstitucionalidad planteada por la exsenadora Kattya González en contra de su pérdida de investidura como legisladora de la Cámara de Senadores, aprobada por los cartistas y sus aliados en una sesión realizada el 14 de febrero de 2024.

Adding significant weight to González's challenge, the State Attorney General's Office issued an opinion on June 12, 2024, concluding that the Senate's resolution to strip González of her investiture was unconstitutional. The Prosecutor General's Office argued that the Senate violated its own regulations concerning the loss of investiture, thereby infringing upon the rule of law and the principle of legality enshrined in the Paraguayan Constitution. While this opinion is not binding, it represents a strong legal argument supporting González's claim and highlights the potential procedural irregularities in her expulsion. The outcome of this case is keenly awaited, as it touches upon fundamental issues of legislative procedure and political rights within Paraguay.

“

Ahora la acción está a cargo del ministro Alberto Martínez Simón para el quinto voto; posteriormente pasará a los ministros del alto tribunal Manuel Dejesús Ramírez Candia, Luis María Benítez Riera, María Carolina Llanes y César Diesel Junghanns, respectivamente.