Weekly Report - 08 November 2012 (WR-12-44)

GUATEMALA | New congress president. Guatemala’s congress recently elected Pedro Muadi, a businessman and deputy for the ruling right-wing Partido Patriota (PP), as its new president for the 2013-14 session, replacing his PP colleague Gudy Rivera. The election of Muadi, president of PSE SA, a company that distributes plastic resin and former president of the chamber of industry, suggests that the powerful private sector is further strengthening its hold on congress. His lack of legislative experience was also flagged up as cause for concern by local commentators: Muadi won his first legislative seat in last September's election, prior to which he had never served in the legislature or held public office. His lack of political experience has also been cited as a weakness at a time when divisions within the PP have become apparent [WR-12-38].