Paraguay Nixes Simplistic View of Democracy
Asuncion - Paraguay president Fernando Lugo,
criticized today party leaders who reduce
the concept of democracy to citizen
participation in elections.
The common citizen cannot have as only form
of participation the right to vote once
every five years, affirmed Lugo in a message
to the people this Tuesday.
Addressing Paraguayans from the government
palace, the President sustained that the
best way to defend democracy is through the
opening of new democratic spaces based on
social inclusion.
We do not believe in cosmetic formulas which
serve the interests of a group of leaders
who take over power and from there forget
the people, lashed out the head of State,
alleging a so-called "democratic agreement"
signed here by Congress last Friday.
The Executive questioned those who dare
dictate lessons of democracy in Paraguay,
while they evade to condemn facts like the
military coup in Honduras.
Lugo then referred to the crusade against
the Executive promoted by parliament
president, Miguel Carrizosa, who boosted the
mentioned initiative, interpreted by
analysts as a tool against potential popular
consultation expressions.
Who fears citizens? asked Lugo in this day�s
message. The party leaderships should step
down from their pedestal to coexist and
debate politics with common people, he
commented.
The polemic legislative agreement received
green light in the Senate from
representatives of the parties Patria
Querida, Liberal Radical Autentico, Colorado
and Union Nacional de Ciudadanos Eticos.
From the groups with parliamentary
representation, those opposed were the
parties Tekojoja, Pais Solidario and
Democrata Progresista, which form the
governing Alianza Patriotica para el Cambio.
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