Paraguay--Government

CIA FactbookThe World Factbook 1993: Paraguay Government Names: conventional long form: Republic of Paraguay conventional short form: Paraguay local long form: Republica del Paraguay local short form: Paraguay

Digraph: PA

Type: republic

Capital: Asuncion

Administrative divisions: 19 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento); Alto Paraguay, Alto Parana, Amambay, Boqueron, Caaguazu, Caazapa, Canindeyu, Central, Chaco, Concepcion, Cordillera, Guaira, Itapua, Misiones, Neembucu, Nueva Asuncion, Paraguari, Presidente Hayes, San Pedro

Independence: 14 May 1811 (from Spain)

Constitution: 25 August 1967; Constituent Assembly rewrote the Constitution that was promulgated on 20 June 1992

Legal system: based on Argentine codes, Roman law, and French codes; judicial review of legislative acts in Supreme Court of Justice; does not accept compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

National holiday: Independence Days, 14-15 May (1811)

Political parties and leaders: Colorado Party, Blas N. RIQUELME, president; Authentic Radical Liberal Party (PLRA), Domingo LAINO; Christian Democratic Party (PDC), Jose Angel BURRO; Febrerista Revolutionary Party (PRF), Euclides ACEUEDO; Popular Democratic Party (PDP), Hugo RICHER; National Encounter (EN), Guillermo Caballero VARGAS

Other political or pressure groups: Confederation of Workers (CUT); Roman Catholic Church

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory up to age 60

Elections:

President: last held 1 May 1989 (next to be held 9 May 1993); results - Gen. RODRIGUEZ 75.8%, Domingo LAINO 19.4%

Chamber of Senators: last held 1 May 1989 (next to be held by 9 May 1993); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (36 total) Colorado Party 24, PLRA 10, PLR 1, PRF 1

Chamber of Deputies: last held on 1 May 1989 (next to be held by 9 May 1993); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (72 total) Colorado Party 48, PLRA 19, PRF 2, PDC 1, other 2

Executive branch: president, Council of Ministers (cabinet), Council of State

Legislative branch: bicameral Congress (Congreso) consists of an upper chamber or Chamber of Senators (Camara de Senadores) and a lower chamber or Chamber of Deputies (Camara de Diputados)

Judicial branch: Supreme Court of Justice (Corte Suprema de Justicia)

Leaders:

Chief of State and Head of Government: President Gen. Andres RODRIGUEZ Pedotti (since 15 May 1989)

Member of: AG (observer), CCC, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ITU, LAES, LAIA, LORCS, MERCOSUR, OAS, OPANAL, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Juan Esteban Aguirre MARTINEZ chancery: 2400 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: (202) 483-6960 through 6962 consulates general: New Orleans and New York consulate: Houston US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Jon David GLASSMAN embassy: 1776 Avenida Mariscal Lopez, Asuncion mailing address: C. P. 402, Asuncion, or APO AA 34036-0001 telephone: [595] (21) 213-715 FAX: [595] (21) 213-728

Flag: three equal, horizontal bands of red (top), white, and blue with an emblem centered in the white band; unusual flag in that the emblem is different on each side; the obverse (hoist side at the left) bears the national coat of arms (a yellow five-pointed star within a green wreath capped by the words REPUBLICA DEL PARAGUAY, all within two circles); the reverse (hoist side at the right) bears the seal of the treasury (a yellow lion below a red Cap of Liberty and the words Paz y Justicia (Peace and Justice) capped by the words REPUBLICA DEL PARAGUAY, all within two circles)