The ruling Colorado party performed great nationwide. Taiwan supporting regime thus continues for another term.
The landlocked nation of South America re-engages with the ruling Colorado party this Sunday. Economist Santiago Pena a forty four year old turns out to be the new president. However, he faces a new range of economic and political problems.
Twenty-three per cent of the votes marked a rise in anti-establishment movements around Latin America. Subsequently, the populist Paraguayo Cubas almost secured third place expressing the unhappiness of Paraguayan voters.
The dominance of the Colorado party has been further reiterated by this election, which has been influential since the 1950s. Known for their fierce campaign tactics they have faced discontent for corruption allegations and a slow economy.
With over 42 per cent votes and a fifteen-point lead over centre-left rival Alegre who had argued switching allegiance to China. Pena, however, pledged to maintain their Taiwan position. The right-wing candidates performed strongly in congressional elections with historic Colorado majority in some provinces.
Pena however has asserted that a lot has to be done as the economic stagnation and fiscal deficit are problems pertaining not to a single person or a party. He thanked the people of Paraguay for giving him the opportunity and called for unity and consensus in his victory address.
Interestingly, Paraguay is one of the only thirteen countries that have officially recognised Taiwan as a self-governing democratic island. Nonetheless, they have been marvelling at their economic and traditional ties with the island nation which China claims to be its territory.
There have been rising demands in Paraguay to forget Taiwan and befriend China and its vast markets. The president will have to find a way to manage the pressure from the beef and soy producers who view China as a more economical option than Taiwan.
Taiwan’s ambassador in Asuncion congratulated the newly elected president on behalf of their president Tsai Ingwen. Taiwan’s foreign ministry said in a statement that based on shared values of democracy and freedom along with traditional friendship between the two countries, Taiwan will continue to deepen cooperation and exchanges with the new government of Paraguay.
Alegre has criticised Taiwan-Paraguay relations and asserted that the soy and beef producers of Paraguay are not benefiting from the Chinese market which is a much better place. He had warned of voter obstruction in the north of the country and condemned attempts that prevent citizen participation.
Voter turnout was good considering the dry conditions. Voters had varied mindsets while they voted. An ice cream seller felt that none of the candidates was worth the seat, still, she voted as it would make her part of a bigger problem. A mother was worried about the crime in the country while an old teacher was happy to see many young people coming out to vote, she believed the young have come out for jobs while old people like her were there for better pensions.
Despite there being people who believed that nothing was to change a large section of people out of the polling stations believed that their participation would give them a new direction. Paraguay’s farm-driven economy stands as a major roadblock in their way to progress while their business potential is yet to be harnessed.
