The president of the Chamber of Deputies, Raúl Latorre, ruled out on Tuesday any possibility of suspending the internal elections of the Colorado Party, scheduled for June 7. The statement comes after representatives of the Colorado dissidence, linked to the Honor Colorado movement, requested the postponement of the election on the grounds that the audit of the electronic voting machines has not yet been completed.
“We will follow the necessary audits, but we will not support a suspension of the elections,” Latorre said. “Colorados have the right to choose democratically, in due time and form, their candidates.” According to him, postponing the electoral calendar could create risks for party participation in future national elections.
Latorre also defended the current voting system, with paper ballots and closed lists, calling it the most appropriate. “I fulfilled my youth dream of signing the death certificate of the soap lists. We thought it was an evil: they put a pretty face on the front and anything on the back,” he said.
Regarding the 2028 general elections, which will also define the presidency of the National Republican Association (ANR), Latorre expressed support for the reelection of Horacio Cartes. “For us, there is no other candidate. I am convinced that Horacio Cartes is the most influential Paraguayan politician of this century. His contribution to the country and the party is tremendous, and it would be a great honor if he could run again for the party presidency,” he declared.
Asked about the constant lack of quorum in Chamber sessions, Latorre acknowledged the problem and called for an “effort” from colleagues. “Every Tuesday the session starts, but systematically, as the agenda progresses, it runs out of quorum,” he noted. He attributed part of the situation to the political campaign context and urged deputies to fulfill the responsibility for which they were elected. “We have to stay until the end,” he concluded.