Colorado Party (Paraguay)
Encyclopedia
The National Republican Association – Colorado Party (Asociación Nacional Republicana – Partido Colorado, ANR-PC) is a political party
in Paraguay
, founded in 1887 by Bernardino Caballero
. It is usually known as the Colorado Party. The presidential candidate of the party was defeated in elections held in April 2008 after 61 years in power.
's rule as President of Paraguay
.
From 1947 until 1962, the Colorado Party ruled Paraguay
as a one-party state; all other political parties were illegal. The Constitution of 1962 gave a legal existence to national parties, the Communist Party being deemed "international" remained illegal and its adherents repressed by the Paraguayan state.
The Colorado Party also served as one of the "twin pillars" supporting the Stroessner
regime (the other pillar being the military
) that effectively ruled Paraguay as a repressive one-party state until 1989.
At the legislative elections
of 27 April 2003, the party won 35.3 % of the popular vote and 37 out of 80 seats in the Chamber of Deputies of Paraguay
and 32.9 %, leading to 16 out of 45 seats in the Senate. Its candidate at the presidential elections of the same day, Nicanor Duarte Frutos
, won 37.1 % of the popular vote and was elected President of Paraguay
.
Originally, the Colorado Party was conservative
, representing those opposed to the Liberal Party
.
On April 20, 2008, for the first time in 61 years, the Colorado Party of Paraguay lost the presidential elections to an opposition candidate from the center-left and a Roman Catholic bishop
, Fernando Lugo
, a first on both accounts (free election of an opposition candidate and of a bishop to the office of president in Paraguay). The Colorado Party was represented in these elections by a woman, Blanca Ovelar
, also a first in Paraguayan politics. Fernando Lugo, who had resigned his Bishophood and Priesthood before the elections so that he could become eligible in Parguayan law, was formally released of his vows by the Vatican before his installation as President on the 15th of August 2008.
Political party
A political party is a political organization that typically seeks to influence government policy, usually by nominating their own candidates and trying to seat them in political office. Parties participate in electoral campaigns, educational outreach or protest actions...
in Paraguay
Paraguay
Paraguay , officially the Republic of Paraguay , is a landlocked country in South America. It is bordered by Argentina to the south and southwest, Brazil to the east and northeast, and Bolivia to the northwest. Paraguay lies on both banks of the Paraguay River, which runs through the center of the...
, founded in 1887 by Bernardino Caballero
Bernardino Caballero
Bernardino Caballero Melgarejo was the President of Paraguay from 1881 until 1886 and founder of the Colorado Party....
. It is usually known as the Colorado Party. The presidential candidate of the party was defeated in elections held in April 2008 after 61 years in power.
History
It initially ruled the country from 1887 until 1904. In 1946, it rejoined the government, together with the Febreristas, during Higinio MorinigoHiginio Morínigo
General Higinio Morínigo Martínez was a Paraguayan dictator, general and political figure. He served as the President of Paraguay from 7 September 1940 to 3 June 1948....
's rule as President of Paraguay
President of Paraguay
The President of Paraguay is according to the Paraguayan Constitution the Chief of the Executive branch of the Government of Paraguay...
.
From 1947 until 1962, the Colorado Party ruled Paraguay
Paraguay
Paraguay , officially the Republic of Paraguay , is a landlocked country in South America. It is bordered by Argentina to the south and southwest, Brazil to the east and northeast, and Bolivia to the northwest. Paraguay lies on both banks of the Paraguay River, which runs through the center of the...
as a one-party state; all other political parties were illegal. The Constitution of 1962 gave a legal existence to national parties, the Communist Party being deemed "international" remained illegal and its adherents repressed by the Paraguayan state.
The Colorado Party also served as one of the "twin pillars" supporting the Stroessner
Alfredo Stroessner
Alfredo Stroessner Matiauda, whose name is also spelled Strössner or Strößner , was a Paraguayan military officer and dictator from 1954 to 1989...
regime (the other pillar being the military
Military of Paraguay
The armed forces of Paraguay consist of the Paraguayan army, navy and air force.The constitution of Paraguay establishes the president of Paraguay as the commander-in-chief....
) that effectively ruled Paraguay as a repressive one-party state until 1989.
At the legislative elections
Elections in Paraguay
Elections in Paraguay gives information on election and election results in Paraguay.Paraguay elects on national level a head of state - the president - and a legislature. The president is elected for a five year term by the people. The National Congress has two chambers...
of 27 April 2003, the party won 35.3 % of the popular vote and 37 out of 80 seats in the Chamber of Deputies of Paraguay
Chamber of Deputies of Paraguay
The Chamber of Deputies is the lower house of Paraguay's bicameral legislature, the National Congress. It is made up of 80 members, elected for a five year term by proportional representation. The other chamber of the National Congress is the Chamber of Senators .- External links :*...
and 32.9 %, leading to 16 out of 45 seats in the Senate. Its candidate at the presidential elections of the same day, Nicanor Duarte Frutos
Nicanor Duarte Frutos
Óscar Nicanor Duarte Frutos is a Paraguayan politician who served as President of Paraguay from 2003 to 2008. He currently holds the title of Senator for life.- Career :...
, won 37.1 % of the popular vote and was elected President of Paraguay
President of Paraguay
The President of Paraguay is according to the Paraguayan Constitution the Chief of the Executive branch of the Government of Paraguay...
.
Originally, the Colorado Party was conservative
Conservatism
Conservatism is a political and social philosophy that promotes the maintenance of traditional institutions and supports, at the most, minimal and gradual change in society. Some conservatives seek to preserve things as they are, emphasizing stability and continuity, while others oppose modernism...
, representing those opposed to the Liberal Party
Liberal Party (Paraguay)
The Liberal Party , commonly known as the Blue Party was a political party in Paraguay, ruling the country for most of the period between 1904 and 1940.-References:...
.
On April 20, 2008, for the first time in 61 years, the Colorado Party of Paraguay lost the presidential elections to an opposition candidate from the center-left and a Roman Catholic bishop
Bishop (Catholic Church)
In the Catholic Church, a bishop is an ordained minister who holds the fullness of the sacrament of Holy Orders and is responsible for teaching the Catholic faith and ruling the Church....
, Fernando Lugo
Fernando Lugo
Fernando Armindo Lugo Méndez is the current President of Paraguay and a former Roman Catholic bishop of the Diocese of San Pedro.-Early life:...
, a first on both accounts (free election of an opposition candidate and of a bishop to the office of president in Paraguay). The Colorado Party was represented in these elections by a woman, Blanca Ovelar
Blanca Ovelar
Blanca Margarita Ovelar de Duarte is a Paraguayan politician and former Minister of Education. She was the Colorado Party's nominee for president in the April 2008 presidential election, in which she was defeated....
, also a first in Paraguayan politics. Fernando Lugo, who had resigned his Bishophood and Priesthood before the elections so that he could become eligible in Parguayan law, was formally released of his vows by the Vatican before his installation as President on the 15th of August 2008.