Executive branch:
chief of state: President Luis GONZALEZ Macchi (since 28 March
1999); note—the president is both the chief of state and head of
government
head of government: President Luis GONZALEZ Macchi (since 28 March
1999); note—the president is both the chief of state and head of
government
cabinet: Council of Ministers nominated by the president
elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket
by popular vote for five-year terms; election last held 10 May 1998
(next to be held NA May 2003)
election results: Raul CUBAS Grau elected president; percent of
vote—55.3%; resigned 28 March 1999
note: President Luis GONZALEZ Macchi, formerly president of the
Chamber of Senators, constitutionally succeeded President Raul CUBAS
Grau, who resigned following the assassination of Vice President
Luis Maria ARGANA; the successor to ARGANA will be decided in an
election to be held in late 1999
Legislative branch: bicameral Congress or Congreso consists of
the Chamber of Senators or Camara de Senadores (45 seats; members
are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) and the
Chamber of Deputies or Camara de Diputados (80 seats; members are
elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)
elections: Chamber of Senators—last held 10 May 1998 (next to be
held NA May 2003); Chamber of Deputies—last held 10 May 1998 (next
to be held NA May 2003)
election results: Chamber of Senators—percent of vote by party—NA;
seats by party—Colorado Party 24, PLRA/PEN 20, other 1; Chamber of
Deputies—percent of vote by party—NA; seats by party—Colorado Party
45, PLRA/PEN 35
Judicial branch: Supreme Court of Justice (Corte Suprema de
Justicia), judges appointed on the proposal of the Counsel of
Magistrates (Consejo de la Magistratura)
Political parties and leaders: National Republican
Maria LJUBETIC]
Political pressure groups and leaders: Unitary Workers Central or
CUT; Roman Catholic Church; National Workers Central or CNT;
Paraguayan Workers Confederation or CPT
International organization participation: CCC, ECLAC, FAO, G-77,
IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO,
IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU,
LAES, LAIA, Mercosur, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD,
UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant)
chancery: 2400 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
consulate(s) general: Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Maura A. HARTY
embassy: 1776 Avenida Mariscal Lopez, Casilla Postal 402, Asuncion
mailing address: Unit 4711, APO AA 34036-0001
Flag description: three equal, horizontal bands of red (top), white, and blue with an emblem centered in the white band; unusual flag in that the emblem is different on each side; the obverse (hoist side at the left) bears the national coat of arms (a yellow five-pointed star within a green wreath capped by the words REPUBLICA DEL PARAGUAY, all within two circles); the reverse (hoist side at the right) bears the seal of the treasury (a yellow lion below a red Cap of Liberty and the words Paz y Justicia (Peace and Justice) capped by the words REPUBLICA DEL PARAGUAY, all within two circles)
Economy