The Down Range Forum
Member Section => Down Range Cafe => Topic started by: tombogan03884 on June 23, 2012, 01:22:15 AM
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http://news.yahoo.com/paraguays-president-ousted-impeachment-trial-230006395.html
Paraguay's president ousted in impeachment trial
ASUNCION, Paraguay (AP) — Paraguay's Senate removed President Fernando Lugo from office in a rapid impeachment trial on Friday, and the leftist former priest said he was stepping aside even though he considered his ouster a blow to democracy.
Vice President Federico Franco was promptly sworn in as president after tense hours during which Lugo's supporters massed in the streets facing off with riot police. The outgoing president, who was elected on pledges of helping the poor, averted the potential for a bigger conflict by appearing on television and saying he would comply with the Senate's vote.
"I say goodbye as president," a smiling and gracious Lugo said shortly after the Senate vote. He said, however, that Paraguay's democracy "has been deeply wounded."
Franco, who had parted ways with Lugo in recent years, triumphantly donned the presidential sash and declared: "At this time, God and destiny wanted me to assume the presidency."
The Senate tried Lugo on five charges of malfeasance in office, including an alleged role in a deadly confrontation between police and landless farmers that left 17 dead.
After the five-hour trial, 39 senators voted to dismiss Lugo, while four senators voted against and two were absent.
It was a dramatic demise for the once-popular leader who previously had stepped down as a popular Roman Catholic "bishop of the poor" to run for the presidency amid a leftward swing in South America.
Lugo's removal after nearly four years in office highlighted his inability to find a balance with one-time allies who increasingly disapproved of his leftist policies and strident, uncompromising style. The trial came a day after Paraguay's lower house of Congress voted to impeach Lugo.
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He is wrong.
Rather than a "blow to democracy", by showing that the system can work, without a coup, both sides have in fact strengthened the democratic process and possibly set an example for other countries that may be dissatisfied with their leaders.
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I was reading about this a couple hours ago and totally agree. reminds me of another 'presidente' that was ousted from Central America by Congress for violating the constitution. wonder if the commies will flap their hands and cry foul for this guy like they did for the last one. any bets? any?