Update: Lugo Victory in Paraguay Ends Colorado Party Rule
By Daniel Hollingsworth
April 21, 2008 | Printer Friendly

The BBC reports that with most polling stations declaring results, Patriotic Alliance for Change candidate Fernando Lugo has received 41% of the vote in Paraguay’s presidential elections, defeating Colorado Party candidate Blanca Ovelar (31%) and UNACE candidate Lino Oviedo (22%).  Respecting her pledge prior to the election to accept the results, Ovelar conceded defeat and “wished the country ‘a time of reconciliation’ and ‘joint reconstruction.’”  Addressing a news conference, outgoing President Nicanor Duarte Frutos also honored the results, saying that “For the first time in our history, one party will transfer power to another without a coup, without bloodshed and without fighting among brothers.”

Lugo’s victory marks the end of 61 years of Colorado Party rule in Paraguay, including 35 years under dictator Alfred Stroessner.  For additional information on this election, see CCD’s April 20 story, Paraguay’s Colorado Party, in Power Since 1947, Faces Significant Challenge at the Polls.

Reference:

BBC News: Opposition Victorious in Paraguay