Government (Paraguay)
=====================


     Long-form name:
         Republic of Paraguay
     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)
     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)
     Political parties and leaders:
         Colorado Party, Luis Maria ARGANA, acting president; Authentic Radical
         Liberal Party (PLRA), Juan Manuel BENITEZ Florentin; Christian Democratic
         Party (PDC), Jose Angel BURRO; Febrerista Revolutionary Party (PRF), Victor
         BAREIRO; Popular Democratic Party (PDP), Hugo RICHER
     Suffrage:
         universal and compulsory at age 18 and up to age 60
     Elections:
       President:
         last held 1 May 1989 (next to be held NA February 1993); results - Gen.
         RODRIGUEZ 75.8%, Domingo LAINO 19.4%
       Chamber of Senators:
         last held 1 May 1989 (next to be held by NA 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 NA May 1994); results - percent
         of vote by party NA; seats - (72 total) Colorado Party 48, PLRA 19, PRF 2,
         PDC 1, other 2
     Communists:
         Oscar CREYDT faction and Miguel Angel SOLER faction (both illegal); 3,000 to
         4,000 (est.) party members and sympathizers in Paraguay, very few are hard
         core; party beginning to return from exile is small and deeply divided
     Other political or pressure groups:
         Confederation of Workers (CUT); Roman Catholic Church