Paraguay: protestors set Congress on fire following secret vote allowing presidential reelection

Saturday, April 1st 2017 - 09:43 UTC

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Protesters stormed and set fire to Paraguay's Congress on Friday after the Senate secretly voted for a constitutional amendment that would allow President Horacio Cartes to run for re-election, a change that will also require approval by the Lower House. The country's constitution has prohibited re-election since it was passed in 1992 after a brutal dictatorship fell in 1989. Read full article

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imoyaro
Very interesting situation,not a big surprise that the Colorados would try to do it, but senators in support of Lugo were for it as well? No wonder people are rioting.
Apr 01st, 2017 - 10:31 am - Link - Report abuse 0
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Tarquin Fin
It all sounds like a scam. I don't see the reason for all that violent rioting though. As I understand a referendum will have the last say on the issue.
Apr 01st, 2017 - 10:32 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
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imoyaro
You are right. I think the “secret meeting” aspect is what angered people. I am sure most people felt that a change in the constitution would have been debated openly. The Paraguayos put that law in place as a break from the “Indispensible Man” theory of government that has apparently cropped up in their history since independence...
Apr 01st, 2017 - 11:34 pm - Link - Report abuse +1
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