Senator Walter Kobylanski resigned from the National Crusade Party, declaring political independence due to internal disagreements and criticism of the party's lack of renewal.
Partido Cruzada Nacional
Pytagua coverage mentioning Partido Cruzada Nacional.
The president of Paraguay, Santiago Peña, presented his third annual report to the Colorado Party, facing criticism from the opposition, which questions the priority given to the party over Congress.
The election campaign for the October municipal elections in Paraguay caused the Chamber of Deputies to fail to reach a quorum for a session this week, leaving nearly twenty bills stalled, including the creation of the National Care System, changes to the universal pension for the elderly, judicial reforms, land regularization, and a proposal for the automatic termination of child support at age 18.
The Superior Electoral Court will mobilize over 82,000 people and 16,582 voting machines for the June 7 internal party elections, in which 4,338,716 voters will choose candidates for mayor and city council across the country.
The lack of quorum at the start of the Senate's regular session forced a new extraordinary session, sparking protests from opposition members who demand sanctions for colleagues who arrive late. Senator Walter Kobilansky proposed fines, but the Senate president stated that the rules do not provide for penalties for tardiness.
With 11 pre-candidates for mayor in Ciudad del Este and a new coalition in Villa Hayes, Paraguay's 2026 municipal elections promise clashes between old clans, a fragmented opposition, and the Yo Creo movement, which seeks to hold onto the power it won in 2019.
The departures of Norma Aquino, Javier "Chaqueñito" Vera, Hernán Rivas, and Erico Galeano from the Paraguayan Senate, amid corruption scandals, fake degrees, and criminal convictions, reveal the erosion of the political shield of the ruling Cartismo faction and the power of citizen and media pressure.
The Paraguayan Senate's regular session, scheduled for 9 a.m., lacked a quorum, leading to an extraordinary session with less room for debate. Senator Walter Kobilansky (National Crusade) proposed fines or restrictions for lawmakers who arrive late, while the President of Congress stated that the rules do not provide for financial penalties.
Prosecutor General Emiliano Rolón replaced Deputy Prosecutor Soledad Machuca as head of UDEA with Nancy Salomón. Machuca, accused of shelving a complaint against former Senator Hernán Rivas, faces proceedings before the JEM and was called a "black monk" by Senator Yolanda Paredes.
On June 7, in addition to choosing candidates for mayors and councilors, ten Paraguayan political groups will hold internal elections for president and other party authorities. The PLRA, the largest opposition party, has seven candidates for the presidency; the PEN has two. Most parties present a single slate.