Paraguayan president quits early (updated)

Update: Paraguay's Senate rejected the president's offer to resign after not enough legislators were present to conduct a vote. (Thanks for the tip, commenter!)

Paraguayan President Nicanor Duarte offered his resignation with less than two months before his term was to end. Despite being the outgoing president, Duarte (image) won a seat in the Paraguayan Senate and he wanted to be out of office before legislators are sworn in next Tuesday.

Duarte’s move was highly criticized by opposition politicos as well as members of his own party:

But other opposition members and even some of Duarte's own Colorado Party members oppose his bid, arguing the constitution does not allow the president to hold another position. Several others said they would not show up, thereby denying him the quorum needed for approval. They contend the constitution does not allow the president to occupy two offices at the same time, a rule intended to ensure the chief of state does not give short shrift to the job.

Both legislative chambers will vote today on whether or not to accept Duarte’s resignation.

Meanwhile, most Paraguayans are optimistic that president-elect Fernando Lugo will do a good job after he takes office on August 15^th. According to a poll conducted earlier this month 86% of respondents are optimistic over Lugo, who recently returned from a political trip to Venezuela.

Image- Mercopress

Sources- CNN, People’s Daily Online, Angus Reid Consultants, Prensa Latina, The Press Association