Paraguay turn right and elects as president Horacio Cartes

The Colorado Party one of the oldest in Latin America, returned to take the reins of Paraguay after beating rivals in elections this Sunday.And what did the hand of billionaire Horacio Cartes, political novice and investigated at the time by alleged money laundering. Official data released by the Superior Court of Electoral Justice (TSJE) grant victory to tobacco tycoon 56, who appeared at the head of the opposition Partido Colorado. According to the president of this organization, Alberto Ramirez Zambonini, Cartes "is the winner" of the election to get the 45.91% of the vote, with 81.06% of ballots counted. His main rival, Efrain Alegre has obtained 36.84%. Alegre has been submitted to the elections leading the Authentic Radical Liberal Party (PLRA), which for this election formed with other center-right forces the Alliance Paraguay Alegre. The socialist Mario Ferreiro has been relegated to third place with just 5.69% of the ballots, followed by 3.43% Carrillo Hannibal, candidate of the leftist Frente Guasú led by ousted President Fernando Lugo. The representative has encryption TSJE participation in 68.37%, about 3.5 million voters. The Paraguayans have also chosen this Sunday a new vice president, the 45 members of the Senate, 80 of the Chamber of Deputies and the governors of 17 provinces. However, has not spread TSJE data in this regard.

'Won Paraguay'

After meeting his victory, Horacio Cartes greeted his followers, who has said that, with him, "won the Republic of Paraguay". "It is a victory of the Republic of Paraguay because we won all Paraguayans, won the match but won the Republic of Paraguay , "he said. Cartes, wearing white shirt, began his first public speech as presidentvisibly moved by thanking the "almighty" this "great civic celebration." "As Paraguayans should feel very proud of what we have been able to show the Paraguay and the world," said the Colorado, which celebrated the victory by the Future Vice President Juan Afara. "We want the party ratificarle distinguished me to represent you, the greatest and most beloved of the world, the National Republican Alliance (ANR, Colorado Party's official name) a commitment made during the campaign and now ratificarle all parties and not part of any political party that is committed to all Paraguayans "he said.

A past in power

Shortly before the results, Cartes denounced the existence of a plan to assassinate him . The red leader's lawyers received a call from a Military Intelligence agent, warning that his client's life was in danger. Cartes urged people, especially their followers to remain calm. "Nothing and nobody can thwart the will of the Paraguayans to move in a new direction, to eradicate poverty and provide a better future for their children, "said candidate. Cartes promised to renew his party, to bury the image I had, to be the group most authoritarian and patronage of the country. It is recalled that the Reds were the masters of the country since 1947and for six decades, including the period of 45 years in which they were the backbone of the dictatorship of Alfredo Stroessner. Its hegemony ended in 2008 after the accession to the presidency of Fernando Lugo, the head of a center-left alliance.

First reactions

Once these first moments of tension, the Liberal candidate has taken a loss to Horacio Cartes. Half an hour before the scheduled announcement of preliminary official results of the Superior Court of Electoral Justice (TSJE), Alegre has appeared before the press and recognized an advantage of 5-7 points Cartes. "We have made ​​an extraordinary effort. Unable to" victory, admitted liberal. Victor also congratulated his predecessor as president, Federico Franco, who said that the transfer of power will be done "calm and peaceful". In several messages on his Twitter account, said Franco have communicated with the opposition to congratulate Cartes colorado as "president-elect" and made his "disposal." "We confirmed it Horacio Cartes my commitment to a smooth transition, serene and peaceful," said the liberal Franco, who must hand over power on 15 August. "On August 15, the power delivered quietly and peacefully," guaranteed Franco, who congratulated the Paraguayan people and said that in today's elections "there are no winners or losers". "Today democracy won" , he maintained. The on Sunday were the first elections conducted after Parliament Lugo depose from office in June 2012, for "maladministration". The rulers of neighboring countries responded to institutional coup against former bishop of Mercorsur suspending Paraguay and Unasur, the two main regional organizations. It is assumed that the fourth smallest country in Latin America will be readmitted in these forums, on 15 August, when Horacio Cartes take up office.