Nicanor Duarte Frutos
Encyclopedia
Óscar Nicanor Duarte Frutos (born 11 October 1956) is a Paraguayan politician who served as President of Paraguay
from 2003 to 2008. He currently holds the title of Senator for life
.
, Caaguazú
, Nicanor Duarte grew up during the Stroessner administration
and was affiliated with Stroessner's Colorado Party
at the age of 14 while attending high school in Coronel Oviedo. Dr. Duarte is married to María Gloria Penayo Solaeche and they have six children.
In 1974 Duarte received a bachelor's degree in Sciences and Letters. In 1984 he obtained a law degree from the Catholic University of Asuncion
and in 1989 a doctorate from the National University of Asuncion
. Later he joined the ruling Colorado party. The preliminary candidate for the Colorados in December 1992 was the former minister of Integration Juan Carlos Wasmosy Monti
who in August 1993 became the president of Paraguay. Wasmosy appointed Duarte as his Minister of Education and Culture. In 1996, a political controversy led Duarte to leave the ruling party. In February 1997 he resigned as a minister and joined the Reconciliacion Colorada Movement (MRC).
(ANR-PC) again and stood for its presidency for the period 2001-2004. He obtained the presidential nomination from his party on 22 December 2002. He was proclaimed president with 37.1% of the votes, ahead of Julio César Franco
with 24%, Pedro Fadul with 21.3% and Guillermo Sánchez with 13.5% of the votes. He took office on August 15 for the presidential term 2003-2008, becoming the eleventh consecutive ANR-PC president.
Nicanor Duarte pursued policies which were somewhat more left-wing than has been the case for the Colorado Party over its 60-year rule of Paraguay. At least in speeches, he had opposed free trade and reached out to regional Latin American countries with left-leaning governments.
, Senator Miguel Abdón Saguier.
Opposition and officialist members of the Paraguayan Congress
immediately announced they were going to boycott Duarte's resignation by not attending the extraordinary session of the Congress, a session called in order to debate and determine whether the President's resignation is accepted or not. If Congress did not accept the resignation, Duarte would have to continue his term until 15 August and would be unable to become an elected senator, becoming instead a non-voting senator for life
as a former president. As expected, the quorum was not reached at the extraordinary session called for this reason for 24 June 2008.
In 26 August, an extraordinary session of Congress was called, but as expected, many MP's left the session called for that day, which was declared "empty" or abandoned by Paraguayan Congress President
Enrique Gonzalez Quintana (UNACE
). Nonetheless, Gonzalez Quintana proceeded to the swearing-in oath required by law, and former President Duarte Frutos, who arrived at the Legislative Palace followed by Colorado Party fellow supporters, was sworn in as senator.
However, in 4 September, the Paraguayan Senate
, in session to discuss resolutions on the crisis concerning Duarte Frutos tenure as senator, approved finally a bill, but with some modifications, revalidating a previous bill that had not been approved the previous session of 28 August. On the session of the 28th, Jorge Cespedes was confirmed as titular Senator, instead of Duarte Frutos, who was in turn confirmed as senador vitalicio, or senator for life
, handing its seat upon Cespedes.
President of Paraguay
The President of Paraguay is according to the Paraguayan Constitution the Chief of the Executive branch of the Government of Paraguay...
from 2003 to 2008. He currently holds the title of Senator for life
Senator for life
A senator for life is a member of the senate or equivalent upper chamber of a legislature who has life tenure. , 7 Italian Senators out of 322, 4 out of the 47 Burundian Senators and all members of the British House of Lords have lifetime tenure...
.
Career
Born in Coronel OviedoCoronel Oviedo
Coronel Oviedo is a city in Paraguay. It is the capital of the Caaguazú Department, about 150 kilometers east of Asunción.The city has a population of about 52,400 and is the hometown of president Nicanor Duarte Frutos. Coronel Oviedo is an important transit point, as it lies halfway between...
, Caaguazú
Caaguazú Department
Caaguazú is a department in Paraguay. The capital is the city of Coronel Oviedo.- History :The area that today is known as Caaguazú, was threatened during the 16th and 17th centuries by the Portuguese Bandeirantes and Guaicurú Indians, desolating the land for many years.In the 18th century,...
, Nicanor Duarte grew up during the Stroessner administration
Alfredo Stroessner
Alfredo Stroessner Matiauda, whose name is also spelled Strössner or Strößner , was a Paraguayan military officer and dictator from 1954 to 1989...
and was affiliated with Stroessner's Colorado Party
Colorado Party (Paraguay)
The National Republican Association – Colorado Party is a political party in Paraguay, founded in 1887 by Bernardino Caballero. It is usually known as the Colorado Party...
at the age of 14 while attending high school in Coronel Oviedo. Dr. Duarte is married to María Gloria Penayo Solaeche and they have six children.
In 1974 Duarte received a bachelor's degree in Sciences and Letters. In 1984 he obtained a law degree from the Catholic University of Asuncion
Universidad Católica Nuestra Señora de la Asunción
The Universidad Católica Nuestra Señora de la Asunción is a private university of Catholic obedience in Paraguay. It has 8 teaching facility centers.-External links:*...
and in 1989 a doctorate from the National University of Asuncion
Universidad Nacional de Asunción
The Universidad Nacional de Asunción, abbreviated UNA, is a public university in Paraguay. Founded in 1889, it is the oldest and most traditional university in the country.In 2006, there were 36,000 students and 5,500 professors.- Organization :...
. Later he joined the ruling Colorado party. The preliminary candidate for the Colorados in December 1992 was the former minister of Integration Juan Carlos Wasmosy Monti
Juan Carlos Wasmosy
Juan Carlos Wasmosy Monti was the President of Paraguay from 1993 until 1998. He was a member of the Colorado Party, and the country's first civilian president in 39 years....
who in August 1993 became the president of Paraguay. Wasmosy appointed Duarte as his Minister of Education and Culture. In 1996, a political controversy led Duarte to leave the ruling party. In February 1997 he resigned as a minister and joined the Reconciliacion Colorada Movement (MRC).
Presidency
In January 2001 he joined the ruling Colorado PartyColorado Party (Paraguay)
The National Republican Association – Colorado Party is a political party in Paraguay, founded in 1887 by Bernardino Caballero. It is usually known as the Colorado Party...
(ANR-PC) again and stood for its presidency for the period 2001-2004. He obtained the presidential nomination from his party on 22 December 2002. He was proclaimed president with 37.1% of the votes, ahead of Julio César Franco
Julio César Franco
Julio César Ramón Franco Gómez is Paraguayan politician.Franco's profession is surgeon, with education from University of Córdoba, Argentina....
with 24%, Pedro Fadul with 21.3% and Guillermo Sánchez with 13.5% of the votes. He took office on August 15 for the presidential term 2003-2008, becoming the eleventh consecutive ANR-PC president.
Nicanor Duarte pursued policies which were somewhat more left-wing than has been the case for the Colorado Party over its 60-year rule of Paraguay. At least in speeches, he had opposed free trade and reached out to regional Latin American countries with left-leaning governments.
Resignation as president
Nicanor Duarte announced his resignation as president, in order to assume a position as Senator on 1 July 2008. He presented his resignation on 23 June 2008 to the President of the Congress of ParaguayCongress of Paraguay
Paraguay's bicameral Congress consists of a 45-member Senate and an80-member Chamber of Deputies. It serves as the legislative branch of the Paraguayan state....
, Senator Miguel Abdón Saguier.
Opposition and officialist members of the Paraguayan Congress
Congress of Paraguay
Paraguay's bicameral Congress consists of a 45-member Senate and an80-member Chamber of Deputies. It serves as the legislative branch of the Paraguayan state....
immediately announced they were going to boycott Duarte's resignation by not attending the extraordinary session of the Congress, a session called in order to debate and determine whether the President's resignation is accepted or not. If Congress did not accept the resignation, Duarte would have to continue his term until 15 August and would be unable to become an elected senator, becoming instead a non-voting senator for life
Senator for life
A senator for life is a member of the senate or equivalent upper chamber of a legislature who has life tenure. , 7 Italian Senators out of 322, 4 out of the 47 Burundian Senators and all members of the British House of Lords have lifetime tenure...
as a former president. As expected, the quorum was not reached at the extraordinary session called for this reason for 24 June 2008.
Senate
Since Duarte Frutos could not occupy the seat belonging to him in 1 July, Jorge Cespedes, from the Colorado Party, was assigned and assumed as titular of the vacant seat of Duarte at the Senate. While some held positions in favour of Duarte assuming as senator, due to the sentence from the Superior Electoral Justice Tribunal, other MP's argued that Duarte's assumption as senator would be illegal, and Congress president would be violating Constitution if swearing-in Duarte Frutos without the legal quorum.In 26 August, an extraordinary session of Congress was called, but as expected, many MP's left the session called for that day, which was declared "empty" or abandoned by Paraguayan Congress President
Congress of Paraguay
Paraguay's bicameral Congress consists of a 45-member Senate and an80-member Chamber of Deputies. It serves as the legislative branch of the Paraguayan state....
Enrique Gonzalez Quintana (UNACE
National Union of Ethical Citizens
The National Union of Ethical Citizens is a political party in Paraguay.-History:The party was established in 2002, although its predecessor, the Unión Nacional de Colorados Éticos, was founded in 1996 as a faction within the ruling Colorado party...
). Nonetheless, Gonzalez Quintana proceeded to the swearing-in oath required by law, and former President Duarte Frutos, who arrived at the Legislative Palace followed by Colorado Party fellow supporters, was sworn in as senator.
However, in 4 September, the Paraguayan Senate
Senate of Paraguay
The Chamber of Senators of Paraguay , the upper house of the National Congress, has 45 members, elected for a five year term by proportional representation.-See also:*List of Presidents of the Senate of Paraguay...
, in session to discuss resolutions on the crisis concerning Duarte Frutos tenure as senator, approved finally a bill, but with some modifications, revalidating a previous bill that had not been approved the previous session of 28 August. On the session of the 28th, Jorge Cespedes was confirmed as titular Senator, instead of Duarte Frutos, who was in turn confirmed as senador vitalicio, or senator for life
Senator for life
A senator for life is a member of the senate or equivalent upper chamber of a legislature who has life tenure. , 7 Italian Senators out of 322, 4 out of the 47 Burundian Senators and all members of the British House of Lords have lifetime tenure...
, handing its seat upon Cespedes.