Weekly Report - 21 November 2019 (WR-19-46)

PARAGUAY | Protests delay budget debate. Paraguay’s lower chamber of congress approved the draft budget for 2020 on 14 November after a tense two-day debate that was briefly suspended due to protests by teachers. Deputies increased the size of the budget to G$86.2tn (US$13.3bn), up 7.6% on the 2019 budget. The finance ministry presented a draft budget for G$85.5tn to congress in September, saying it was “austere” but in line with the “complex and volatile economic environment” facing Paraguay and the region.