Sebastián Villarejo (40), a pre-candidate for the presidency for the Patria Querida (PPQ) party, will announce next week who will be his vice president for the next elections. He maintained that administrations headed by a member of his party are successful, which is why he asked citizens for an opportunity to be able to administer the country.
He also described the Concertación as successful since, despite the differences, the agreements continue to advance.
Are you too young to be a candidate for President of the Republic?
You don’t have to measure age in years. I know old men with young hearts and young men with old hearts. For me, the important thing is the team, proposing the vision of a leadership that unfortunately in Paraguay always had a connotation of a messianic leader, of the only leader, the one who commands and hits the table. We must have a clear leader, know how to deal with the country’s problems, but in this way also build a team that achieves the necessary transformations.
What does the Concertación leave you as a learning?
I believe that the Agreement is consolidated as something historic. It is the first time that we will have presidential elections where a Coalition participates. The first learning is that historical facts can be achieved to the extent that there are small renunciations and we put Paraguay first. That is no small thing. Secondly, that it goes hand in hand, that so many political forces where we have very strong differences between some, despite this, we are going to support because we need to continue with our principles and values. But we can find common ground and an electoral strategy.
Is it difficult to dialogue in the Concertación?
What happens is that, and I am realistic and consistent, for me the Coalition is consolidated as an electoral competition. The agreement that we had to reach in a timely manner had already been made, we fought together with people from different parties to defend the national register. I had to be with Guillermo Ferreiro, Liberal representatives. I also had the honor of being one of the signatories. It is an electoral competition. Now what has to be is debate and confrontation of ideas. Present our political projects. It’s not that we’re all friends and allies.
Do we need better parliamentary representation?
We definitely need better representation. We are going to ensure that the best list for Congress is list 8 of Patria Querida, it is not a list of 4 to 5 stars. It is a list of 45 people prepared to enter the Senate and that happens in all the deputations. We want to come to power. We ask people to give us a chance. Do you want to see a city of the Beloved Homeland? see Encarnación, see the thriving Chaco, Philadelphia, Mariscal Estigarribia. We are going to make people live better, all of us.
What are the three axes of your candidacy?
In the first place we must build a public administration that has three fundamental characteristics; The first is the frontal fight against corruption to produce honest public management. In second place is the need for efficient public management, because uselessness is a form of corruption. And third, it must be patriotic. You must not fall into the demagogic discourse when they tell you that the problem of corruption is impunity. It is just the Executive’s excuse for not trying to solve the problem.
What do you think of the Government?
It is an administration, not a government. Mario Abdo does not govern. Mario Abdo only manages the inertia of the bureaucracy. To govern is to say, we have to go there and lead the way. And have a vision and clarity. We have a president who is focused on his candidate, rather than managing him. The Paraguayan, in the great majority of him, loves his country. They have a deep feeling for the country. Second, we are a people who are mostly working and making an effort to feed their families.
DATA SHEET
Full name: Juan Sebastian Villarejo Velilla.
Date of Birth: November 16, 1982 (40)
Place of birth: Assumption
Studies: Primary, Colegio San José. Secondary, Colegio San José. Former President of the Literary Academy of this house of studies Degree: Faculty of Law UNA (honor roll). Postgraduate: Master in International Law ISDE Madrid best student
Diploma in Political Theory and Public Management ODCA – Konrad Adenauer. Best student
Family: Married to Silvia Aponte 13 years ago. Father of the Mellis Olivia & Manu and of Nico.
Positions held in the public function: Councilor of Asunción 2015, currently National Deputy. He is also President of the Dear Fatherland Party.
Hobbies: Archer in the Exa. Roasted with family and friends. Fishing
