Weekly Report - 21 December 2017 (WR-17-50)

Paraguay’s primary elections on 17 December produced clear victories for presidential candidates in the two main political parties: the ruling Asociación Nacional Republicana-Partido Colorado (ANR-PC) and the main opposition Partido Liberal Radical Auténtico (PLRA). But the ANR-PC primaries resulted in a painful defeat for President Horacio Cartes and his supporters (Cartistas), as his handpicked successor was defeated by a rival backed by anti-Cartista factions. The opposition’s chance of winning the general election in April 2018 will be greatly enhanced if the ANR-PC is divided.