Go back
The Impeachment of Fernando Lugo

The Impeachment of Fernando Lugo

Debates

g

Pepperland

Joined
30 May 07
Moves
12892
Clock
25 Jun 12
Vote Up
Vote Down

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-18553813
Paraguay's Senate has voted to impeach left-wing President Fernando Lugo, forcing him to step down

"Both houses of Congress had voted on Thursday to begin impeachment proceedings over his handling of clashes between farmers and police last week in which at least 17 people died.

Mr Lugo likened the move to a coup by the right wing-controlled parliament, but said he would accept the decision."


.......

So, could this be said to be a thinly-deguised coup, the result of the machinations of the elites in the country who were uncomfortable with a left-leaning President or indeed a legitimate and constitutionally valid removal of a (in the eyes of Paraguayan legislators, at least) feckless and unsuitable leader?

no1marauder
Naturally Right

Somewhere Else

Joined
22 Jun 04
Moves
42677
Clock
25 Jun 12
1 edit
Vote Up
Vote Down

Originally posted by generalissimo
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-18553813
[b]Paraguay's Senate has voted to impeach left-wing President Fernando Lugo, forcing him to step down


[/i]"Both houses of Congress had voted on Thursday to begin impeachment proceedings over his handling of clashes between farmers and police last week in which at least 17 people died.

Mr ...[text shortened]... emoval of a (in the eyes of Paraguayan legislators, at least) feckless and unsuitable leader?[/b]
What are the constitutional grounds for impeachment in Paraguay?

K

Germany

Joined
27 Oct 08
Moves
3118
Clock
25 Jun 12
Vote Up
Vote Down

Well, if Paraguay's law allow parliament to send away the president, it's not really a coup, but simply the inability of the president to appease parliament and/or the choice of the people to elect a "right wing" parliament. But I certainly don't know the details of Paraguayan law.

g

Pepperland

Joined
30 May 07
Moves
12892
Clock
25 Jun 12
Vote Up
Vote Down

Originally posted by no1marauder
What are the constitutional grounds for impeachment in Paraguay?
Well, his congressional opponents have cited the inadequacy of Lugo's leadership with regards to clashes between landowners and landless workers, as the reason behind his ousting.

As for the Paraguayan constitution itself, it says the following on impeachment:
"(1) The president of the Republic, the vice president, cabinet ministers, justices of the Supreme Court of Justice, the attorney general, the public defender, the comptroller and the deputy comptroller general of the Republic, and members of the Superior Electoral Court may be forced to undergo impeachment proceedings for malfeasance in office, for crimes committed in office, or for common crimes."

http://www.servat.unibe.ch/icl/pa00000_.html

g

Pepperland

Joined
30 May 07
Moves
12892
Clock
25 Jun 12
Vote Up
Vote Down

Originally posted by KazetNagorra
Well, if Paraguay's law allow parliament to send away the president, it's not really a coup, but simply the inability of the president to appease parliament and/or the choice of the people to elect a "right wing" parliament. But I certainly don't know the details of Paraguayan law.
Would you say that the legality of the impeachment proceedings and the possibility of it being a purely politically-motivated move by the right-wing opposition, in their efforts to restablish the hegemony of the Colorado party and the interests of the gilded landowners over those of the impoverished peasants, are mutually exclusive and entirely different concepts?

rwingett
Ming the Merciless

Royal Oak, MI

Joined
09 Sep 01
Moves
27626
Clock
26 Jun 12
Vote Up
Vote Down

It was a coup.

sh76
Civis Americanus Sum

New York

Joined
26 Dec 07
Moves
17585
Clock
26 Jun 12
1 edit
Vote Up
Vote Down

Originally posted by generalissimo
Well, his congressional opponents have cited the inadequacy of Lugo's leadership with regards to clashes between landowners and landless workers, as the reason behind his ousting.

As for the Paraguayan constitution itself, it says the following on impeachment:
"(1) The president of the Republic, the vice president, cabinet ministers, justices of th ...[text shortened]... s committed in office, or for common crimes."

http://www.servat.unibe.ch/icl/pa00000_.html
Gee, that sounds pretty broad. Malfeasance could mean almost anything.

Sounds like the Constitution gives the legislature the power to remove the President for pretty much any reason and the legislature seemingly was poised to do just that,

Doesn't sound like a coup to me.

Whether the leader was "feckless" or "unsuitable" is seemingly beside the point. As long as Parliament had the Constitutional authority to do what they did, it's legitimate, whether it was a good idea or not.

Cookies help us deliver our Services. By using our Services or clicking I agree, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn More.