“Brief Summary of Politics in Paraguay”

Politics of Paraguay takes place in a framework of a presidential representative democratic republic.

The National Constitution mandates a separation of powers in three branches. Executive power is exercised solely
by the President. Legislative power is vested in the two chambers of the National Congress. The Judiciary power is
vested on Tribunals and Courts of Civil Law and a nine-member Supreme Court of Justice, all of them independent of
the executive and the legislature.

The Economist Intelligence Unit rated Paraguay a "flawed democracy" in 2019.

Paraguay's highly public government was fundamentally changed by the 1992 constitution, which reinforced a
division of powers (between legislative, judiciary and executive) that in the last two Constitutions existed mostly in
writing.

The president, popularly elected for a 5-year term, appoints a cabinet. The president nominates the Council of
Ministers. The presidential elections of 2008 were won by Fernando Lugo, a Roman Catholic bishop whose
ministerial duties have been suspended on his request by the Holy See. It was the first time in 61 years that the
Colorado Party lost a presidential election in Paraguay, and only a second time that a leftist will serve as president
(first time was in 1936–37) and first time freely elected.

The workplace of the President of Paraguay is the Palacio de los López, in Asuncion. The Presidential Residence is
Mburuvichá Roga, also in Asuncion.Once presidents leave office, they are granted by the Constitution the speaking-
but-non-voting position of Senator for life.In Paraguay, the post of First Lady is official, and thus the Office of the First
Lady the Nation of the Republic of Paraguay was created.

According to Paraguayan law, this office depends structurally and financially upon the Presidency of the Republic.
The office exercises mainly social functions, but also those related to health, through the REPADEH Foundation.

Paraguay's highest court is the Supreme Court of Paraguay. The Senate and the president select its nine members
on the basis of recommendations from a constitutionally created Magistrates Council. The Supreme Court supervises
all other components of the judicial branch, which include appellate courts with three members each in the areas of
criminal, civil, administrative, and commercial jurisdiction; courts of first instance in these same four areas; justices of
the peace dealing with more minor issues; and military courts.

The Constitution of Paraguay quotes "The law will regulate the various areas in which these officials and employees
can provide their services, including the judicial, the diplomatic and consular professions, the areas of scientific and
technological research, civil services, military and police. This will not preclude others. " Each of Paraguay's 17
departments is headed by a popularly elected governor. Paraguay is divided in 17 departments (departamentos,
singular – departamento) and one capital city; Alto Paraguay, Alto Paraná, Amambay, Asunción (city), Boquerón,
Caaguazú, Caazapá, Canindeyú, Central, Concepción, Cordillera, Guairá, Itapúa, Misiones, Ñeembucú, Paraguarí,
Presidente Hayes, San Pedro.

References

The Economist Intelligence Unit (8 January 2019). "Democracy Index 2019". Economist Intelligence Unit. Retrieved
13 January 2019.