Chamber:
	Cámara de Diputados
Dates of elections / renewal (from/to):
	27 April 2003
Purpose of elections:
	Elections were held for all seats in the Chamber of Deputies on the normal expiry of the members' term of office.
Background and outcome of elections:
	On 27 April 2003, Paraguayans went to the polls to choose a new President together with 45 senators, 80 deputies and 17 governors. In the presidential race, Mr. Nicanor Duarte, from the National Republican Association (ANR)-Colorado Party, which has maintained its grip on the country since 1947, governing both in times of dictatorship and democracy, was challenged by Mr. Pedro Fadul, a banker from the independent "Patria Querida" Movement (MPQ), Mr. Julio Cesar Franco, a former Vice President from the Authentic Radical Liberal Party (PLRA), and Mr. Guillermo Sánchez Guffanti, from the National Union of Ethical Citizens (UNACE). The run-up to the elections was characterised by minor ideological differences between the main candidates. All campaigned against corruption and recognised the need for higher taxes and economic reform. Even though he ran in the ranks of the ruling ANR, Mr. Duarte projected himself as a bringer of change, promising that he would guide the country out of a burgeoning economic crisis, while Mr. Fadul said he would boost tax collection and impose fiscal reforms and Mr. Franco pledged to tackle corruption and increase health, education and job benefits. In fact, the campaign focused on the country's economy which had slumped to its lowest point in two decades, deeply affected by economic turmoil in neighbouring Argentina. The jobless rate was near 18 per cent and some 1 million of the country's 5.5 million inhabitants lived in poverty. The economic situation was so dire that opponents of President Luis Gonzalez Macchi demanded that he leave office early so new leaders could tackle Paraguay's financial woes. In February 2003, the President narrowly survived an impeachment attempt by deputies from his own Colorado Party, on charges of mishandling US$16 million in State funds and of using a stolen luxury car. He denied the accusations, calling them politically orchestrated. Mr. Gonzalez Macchi himself had taken office in March 1999 after the previous President, Raul Cubas, had been impeached for abuse of power but had chosen to resign amid deadly street protests mounted against his rule. The election campaign also saw a stand off between opponents and supporters of General Lino Oviedo. General Lino Oviedo, who fled Paraguay and currently resides in Brazil, was banned from running in the elections due to his conviction in a military court to a 10-year sentence for leading a military uprising. He is also suspected of involvement in the 1999 murder of former Vice-President Luis María Argaña. During the electoral campaign, the two pro-Oviedo parties, the National Union of Ethical Citizens (UNACE), led by Mr. Guillermo Sánchez Guffanti, and the PLRA presented plans to give General Oviedo amnesty and allow him to return to Paraguay. International observers present in the country to monitor the polling hailed the vote as being clean, free and fair, and welcomed the fact that the elections went off without any major problems. In the presidential elections, voters chose continuity over change, returning the Colorado Party leader Nicanor Duarte Frutos who won 39 per cent of the vote. Nevertheless, the Colorado Party was unable to secure a majority in either the Senate or the Chamber of Deputies. In fact, it had its worst results since the return to democracy in 1989, winning 37 of the 80 seats in the Chamber of Deputies and 16 of the 45 seats in the Senate. The PLRA came in second with 21 seats in the Chamber of Deputies and 12 in the Senate. The MPQ obtained 10 and 8 seats, respectively, while the UNACE won 10 and 7 seats. The new government was sworn in on 15 August 2003.

STATISTICS

Round no 1 (27 April 2003): Elections results
Voters	1 539 800
Blank or invalid ballot papers	65 475
Valid votes	1 474 325

Round no 1: Distribution of votes
Political Group	Votes	%
National Republican Association (ANR)-Colorado Party	520 100	35.30
Authentic Radical Liberal Party (PLRA)	378 657	25.68
"Patria Querida" Movement (MPQ)	225 442	15.29
National Union of Ethical Citizens (UNACE)	216 265	14.67
Party of a United Country (PPS)	48 869	3.31

Round no 1: Distribution of seats
Political Group	Total
National Republican Association (ANR)-Colorado Party	37
Authentic Radical Liberal Party (PLRA)	21
"Patria Querida" Movement (MPQ)	10
National Union of Ethical Citizens (UNACE)	10
Party of a United Country (PPS)	2

Distribution of seats according to sex:
Men:	73
Women:	7
Percent of women:	8.75