The Chamber of Deputies again declared the extraordinary session in the intermediate room, where the draft resolution “By which an accusation is filed before the Chamber of Senators against the State Attorney General, Sandra Quiñónez Astigarraga, for the purposes of establishment of the political trial provided for in article 225 of the National Constitution.” It will continue on Tuesday at 2:00 p.m.
Opposition legislators, plus the Colorado ruling party only have 51 votes and need 53 for removal. The two missing votes are those of the Liberals María de la Nieve López and Carlos Noguera. Both attended the session, after the return to face-to-face attendance was established last week. In parallel, nearby, a group of 50 demonstrators followed the development of the session with loudspeakers. At one point, there were incidents due to the refusal of two protesters to allow their bags and backpacks to be examined, which led to a brawl that did not escalate.
During the day, point 8 of the 11 of the accusatory libel was discussed. It addressed the Metrobús issue. Point 9 remains to be discussed; “Inefficiency and negligence in the budget of the Public Ministry”, point 10 are “Impunity and corruption in mayors and governorates”, while point 11 refers to other inactions. With this, they add up to four postponements of the extraordinary session. The delay is due to the lack of votes of the promoters of the trial. If approved, it goes to the Senate where there are 30 votes (out of 45) necessary to achieve the dismissal of Quiñónez.
Edgar Acosta, deputy for the PLRA, pointed out that the damage could reach US$50 million. In other words, the US$ 20 million that it has already collected plus the US$ 30 million that the company Mota Engil is claiming. This, as a questioning of the arguments of several Chartist legislators who defended the collection of an insurance of G. 40,000 million (US$ 5.8 million at the current exchange rate) as a point in favor of the Cartes Government.
Sebastián Villarejo, a national deputy for the Patria Querida (PPQ) party, questioned that the defenders of Quiñónez allege that the citizens, who are supposedly tired of this trial, must weigh, however, when interventions were to be approved in communes denounced for acts of corruption, they voted against. “We have denounced miserable robberies in a pandemic. If we cared about the people we would have voted in favor”, he commented. Edgar Ortiz, a national deputy for the PLRA (llanista), affirmed on his part that he received threats of escraches at his home. However, he waited for them with a barbecue but they never came to his house. “They put the groups, but they lacked the people,” he said ironically.
With this, the session will continue tomorrow, at 2:00 p.m.
POLITIC NOTICES
Rasmussen plans to improve the IPS service
In a public hearing convened by the senator of the Beloved Homeland Party, Stephan Rasmussen, a planner of the change in the governance of the IPS, there was a debate regarding this initiative, which proposes that the directors of the pension be elected through elections supervised by the Superior Court of Electoral Justice (TSJE). According to Rasmussen, part of the proposal proposes that the different contributing sectors be able to elect their representatives by direct vote.
brief policies
Velázquez promises 50% women in his cabinet
Hugo Velázquez, Vice President of the Republic and candidate for President of the Republic for the ruling Colorado Party, posted on his social networks that 50% of his cabinet will be occupied by women. “It is what corresponds at this moment in the country’s history because I trust the enormous talent and strength of the Paraguayans. Paraguay is coming with prosperity and opportunities for all ”, reads the post published on social networks verbatim.
Senate will discuss loan request for US$ 615 million
The Chamber of Senators will deal this Thursday with three loan requests. The first is for US$215 million for the improvement and conservation of Route 2, at the Nanawa – General Bruguez intersection. Another loan request is for US$200 million to finance a support program to strengthen fiscal policy. And finally, a loan request also for US$ 200 million for a “State Transformation” program.
New senator will be sworn in this Thursday
Daniel Rojas López, Zulma Gómez’s replacement, will take office this Thursday as senator. He will replace the legislator who, due to a domestic accident, lost her life at dawn on Sunday. Gómez fell into Lake Acahay and drowned in strange circumstances. Rojas López is an Efrainist and at the time was president of the National Animal Quality and Health Service (Senacsa). His oath is scheduled as item one of the Agenda.
Good relationship with Zulma Gómez
Fernando Lugo, first vice president of the Senate board, affirmed that he always had a good relationship with Gómez, to the point that they shared several lunches in the deceased legislator’s fifth. The former president of the Republic described the death of the legislator as a great pain for the Senate, the PLRA and for Gómez’s family. With this, there are 11 senators who leave Congress before the end of the period.
