|
|
"A comprehensive, collaborative elections resource."
|
Paraguay's president Fernando Lugo ousted from office
|
|---|
| Parent(s) |
Candidate
|
| Contributor | IndyGeorgia |
| Last Edited | IndyGeorgia Jun 22, 2012 07:35pm |
| Logged |
0
|
| Category | News |
| Author | Associated Press |
| Media | Newspaper - Guardian |
| News Date | Saturday, June 23, 2012 01:35:00 AM UTC0:0 |
| Description | Paraguay's senate voted to remove President Fernando Lugo from office on Friday in an impeachment trial that has plunged the South American country into a crisis.
After a five-hour trial, 39 senators voted to dismiss Lugo, while four senators voted against and two were absent. Based on the decision, Lugo is to be replaced by vice-president Federico Franco of the Authentic Radical Liberal party.
Crowds of pro-Lugo protesters took to the streets condemning the impeachment trial and expressing support for the president. Police in anti-riot gear drove them back on horseback and using water cannon.
Paraguay's lower house of congress voted to impeach Lugo on Thursday. The senate tried him on five charges of malfeasance in office, including an alleged role in a deadly confrontation between police and landless farmers that left 17 dead.
The Venezuelan foreign minister, Nicolas Maduro, who travelled to Paraguay ahead of the vote as part of a delegation from the UNASUR regional bloc, denounced it as a "new type of coup".
"A truly shameful act has been committed," Maduro told reporters.
Lugo decided not to attend the trial, instead watching on television from the presidential palace while lawyers spoke on his behalf. The senate rejected a request by his lawyers for a period of 18 days to prepare their arguments. The senate's president, Jorge Oviedo, said there were no grounds for such a request. |
| Share |
|
|
2¢
|
|
| Article | Read Full Article |
|
| Date |
Category |
Headline |
Article |
Contributor |
|
|
