Lugo Ahead of Ovelar and Oviedo in Paraguay

[Judi Lynn]

Lugo Ahead of Ovelar and Oviedo in Paraguay
March 26, 2008

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Former Catholic bishop Fernando Lugo and running mate Federico Franco are holding on to the lead in Paraguay’s presidential race, according to a poll by ICA. 31.9 per cent of respondents would vote for the Alliance for Change (APC) ticket in next month’s election.

Blanca Ovelar and Carlos Santacruz of the ruling National Republican Association - Red Party (ANR) are second with 27.5 per cent, followed by Lino Oviedo and Nicolás Luthold of the National Union of Ethical Citizens (UNACE) with 24.9 per cent, and Pedro Fadul and Roberto Dietze of the Beloved Homeland Party (PPQ) with 4.6 per cent.

Nicanor Duarte won the April 2003 presidential election as the ANR candidate with 37.1 per cent of all cast ballots. The ANR has been involved in Paraguay’s government since 1947, even during the dictatorship of Alfredo Stroessner. Duarte is not eligible for a new term.

In 1996, Oviedo launched a failed coup against the government of Juan Carlos Wasmosy. He was convicted in 1998, and sentenced to ten years in prison. In September 2007, Lugo oversaw the creation of the APC—which brings together seven opposition parties.

On Mar. 20, former Paraguayan soccer star José Luis Chilavert—one of the country’s most popular and celebrated athletes—endorsed Lugo, saying, "The Lugo-Franco ticket is the change our country needs and this is why I’m with them." Referring to Ovelar and Oviedo, Chilavert added: "The people cannot support a candidate who fraudulently won an internal primary. They cannot support a man who tried to launch a coup."

http://www.angus-reid.com/polls/view/30256/lugo_ahead_of_ovelar_and_oviedo_in_paraguay




Fernando Lugo, Federico Franco and Emilia de Franco.