Paraguay: Ex Bishop Fernando Lugo elected President (updated II)

Caracas, Venezuela, 20 April 2008. As the 84% of the votes counting progresses and after the recoginition of defeat by government -Blanca Ovelar-  and main opposition - Lino Oviedo- candidates, Fernando Lugo emerges as the new President of Paraguay. The leader of the Alianza Patriotica para el Cambio, 56 year old Fernando Lugo would have got more than 40% of the votes so far and a 10 point lead over the official candidate. This victory means the end of the Colorado Party grip of power for more than 60 years.

In an televised interview, official candidate Blanca Overlar recognised the irreversible victory of Fernando Lugo. She also thanked the people of Paraguay for the civil behaviour during the recent polls. On the other hand and in an earlier declaration to the media, opposition candidate Lino Oviedo had said it was not time for selfishness and recognized the victory of Lugo. Oviedo recalled he has always been for a change in Paraguay. He then declared that Fernando Lugo meant a change.

PS: With 92% of the votes already counted, Fernando Lugo is confirmed as the winner. Lugo was able to get 40,83% of the votes while the govermental candidate got 10 point less with 30.71%.

On Monday April 21, there is wide coverage of the victory of Fernando Lugo in the region. Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez phoned Lugo and arrange to meet soon. They both backed UNASUR. On the other hand, Cuban Fidel Castro took a more critical stand on Lugo victory. For Castro there could be violence in Paraguay as Lugo tries to embark on a policy of land reform and change.  It also emerged ex Bishop Lugo asked his sister to act as First Lady during his governmental term.  

Sources: Telesur, TSJE, La Nacion, Ñanduti, El Mundo.es, VTV, CNN, Unionradio, Globovision, Prensa Latina, ABN, AlJazeera, YVKE, NYT, The Independent, Telegraph,   

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