LatinNews Monitor: Brazil & Southern Cone - 12 November 2015

Paraguay’s upcoming 15 November municipal elections could prove a significant test for President Horacio Cartes and the ruling Asociación Nacional Republicana (ANR-PC). Looking to shore up support for his administration within the ANR-PC, President Cartes has said that he will ensure that the ruling party “sweeps the country” in the municipals. But with Cartes’ government facing various protests and other signs of social discontent, support for the opposition appears to be on the rise and the ANR-PC now wants to avoid the elections from turning into a referendum on the Cartes administration. If the ANR-PC performs poorly in the municipals, the in-party divisions that have lately made life difficult for the Cartes administration could be further exacerbated.