Political Context

Paraguay, has endured one of Latin America's most challenging democratic transitions. Over the last decade, Paraguay has experienced political instability in the form of an attempted coup, political assassinations and a presidential impeachment. These events highlight the tenuous nature of Paraguay's democracy. Amidst ongoing political instability and economic stagnation, Paraguay held general elections in April 2003 in which the ruling Colorado party won the presidency - continuing the party's uninterrupted dominance of Paraguayan politics for almost a half century. However, an increasingly divided congress challenges newly elected President Nicanor Duarte's ability to govern. Public expectations for change are also growing.

Program Activities

From 1988 - 2001, NDI contributed to Paraguay’s democratic transition by implementing programs in the areas of civic participation, local governance, political party strengthening, transparency and ethics, civil-military relations and election observations. Please find below brief descriptions of these programs.

Electoral Assistance – When NDI began working in Paraguay in 1988, it helped establish the Center for Democratic Studies (CED) which went on to train pollwatchers; develop mass media campaigns to encourage voter registration and participation; conduct public opinion surveys; design and implement independent vote tabulations; and local governance and civic education programs. NDI provided financial and technical assistance for many of these CED programs.

In 1989, NDI also sent an international observer delegation to Paraguay's first open elections. For the May 1993 national elections, NDI supported SAKA, a consortium of five NGOs, to conduct a nationwide parallel vote tabulation.

Promoting Accountability– From 1998- 2001, NDI contributed to anti-corruption initiatives in Paraguay. In March 1998, NDI and the Association of Christian Business Leaders (ADEC) co-sponsored an anti-corruption conference. Speakers included anti-corruption experts from Argentina, Chile, Colombia, the United States and Venezuela. More than 350 political party leaders, civic activists, government officials, journalists, academics and students participated in the event.

In 1999, NDI conducted an anti-corruption survey mission in conjunction with the World Bank. This assessment mission evaluated the anti-corruption challenges and responses by the national legislature and the municipal government of Asunción. The assessment also analyzed the political environment affecting potential transparency and accountability efforts. Based on the findings of the assessment mission, NDI worked with the Paraguayan Congress to implement a legislative action plan.

Political Party Strengthening – In November 1996, NDI began to assist Paraguayan political leaders in developing stronger, more responsive and more democratic political parties. In preparation for the May 1998 national elections, NDI worked with the parties on such issues as strategic planning, election laws, campaign finance reform and increasing the political participation of women. NDI also helped the political parties establish internal training centers.

NDI launched the Political Leadership Program in 1999 to strengthen the leadership skills and ability of emerging political leaders to promote the modernization and renewal of political parties. Following a rigorous selection process, the one-year Political Leadership Program begins with an intensive, two-week leadership development seminar and in-country assistance for emerging young reformers to implement concrete party-strengthening projects and exposing their colleagues to practical leadership techniques. In 1999-2000, six young Paraguayan political leaders from the Liberal, Colorado, and National Encounter parties participated in this program. Their party strengthening projects targeted the areas of strategic planning, crisis management, communication skills building, ethics and increasing the political participation of women within party structures.

Supporting Coalition Governance – In 1999, NDI organized a series of consultations with Chilean political practitioners experienced in coalition governments to help the political parties that formed the National Unity Government develop consensus on key reform issues.

NDI Programs in Paraguay received support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the National Endowment for Democracy (NED).