ASUNCION, (Reuters) – Paraguay’s opposition-controlled Congress rejected yesterday a constitutional reform that would have let leftist President Fernando Lugo run for re-election.
The reform drive, led by Lugo’s supporters, proved controversial in a country where many people have painful memories of General Alfredo Stroessner’s 35-year dictatorship.
Lugo’s allies last month presented a petition to Congress signed by 90,000 people, urging lawmakers to amend the constitution, which has limited leaders to a single term since 1992. Lugo, a former Roman Catholic bishop who quit the Church to run for the presidency, says he is not interested in seeking another five-year term in 2013. Opposition senators disputed that during Thursday’s debate.
