Paraguay’s conservatives win heavily, calming Taiwan’s worries. Conservative economist Santiago Pena, 44, won Paraguay’s presidential election, strengthening the ruling Colorado Party and easing concerns about Taiwan’s diplomatic ties.
With 99.9% of ballots tallied, Pena, who has vowed to retain Paraguay’s long-standing Taiwan connections, leads center-left competitor Efrain Alegre by more than 15 points.
“Thank you for this Colorado victory and this Paraguayan victory,” Pena said in a speech. Alegre conceded. Brazil and Argentina’s presidents congratulated “president-elect” Pena.
Colorado and right-wing party candidates scored well in congressional and governor campaigns, with several provinces registering a historic Colorado majority against opposition competitors.
Pena must boost Paraguay’s farm-based economy, reduce a large fiscal deficit, and manage soy and cattle farmers’ urge to go to China and its massive markets.
“We have a lot to do, after the last years of economic stagnation, of fiscal deficit, the task that awaits us is not for a single person or a party,” Pena said in his victory address, appealing for “unity and consensus.”
Despite voter discontent over the slowing economy and corruption allegations, the Colorado Party has ruled for five of the last 75 years and has a powerful campaign machine.
“Once a Colorado always a Colorado,” Eugenio Senturion, 65, remarked as he voted Sunday in Jara, Asuncion.
Analysts claimed dry weather encouraged voter turnout, with huge lines at polling sites after 4 p.m. (2000 GMT).
“All day we’ve observed high levels of participation,” an OAS electoral mission observer stated.
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