POLITICS: Cartes – in need of Papal blessing
Paraguay’s President Horacio Cartes concluded the second year of his five-year term by delivering his annual state-of-the-nation address before congress on 1 July. With the government facing increasing opposition in the legislature, Cartes ended his address by calling on legislators from all political parties, and in particular the ruling Asociación Nacional Republicana- Partido Colorado (ANR-PC), to work with the executive to attract more foreign investment and promote the country’s development. The call was dismissed by ANR-PC dissidents, who blamed the president’s unwillingness to engage with his opponents for the growing political stasis. Against this polarised background, President Cartes was also preparing for a potentially tricky visit by Pope Francis.
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