The 2015 Municipal Elections in Paraguay: Symbolic Changes and Substantive Continuities

Abstract

This article describes the electoral results of the 2015 municipal elections in Paraguay. It analyses the main tendencies, putting them in a comparative historical perspective, in particular with respect to the previous elections held in 2010. It argues that despite important continuities in terms of aggregate electoral results (predominance of traditional parties and weakness of third parties), Asociación Nacional Republicana (ANR)suffered an important setback in major cities, Partido Liberal Radical Auténtico strengthened its presence in the Departamento Central, the most populous in the country, and the opposition political actors made more frequently and successfully use of electoral alliances as way to compete with the ANR. Also, the voters seem to be ever more critical, with a growing capacity to evaluate the incumbents and punish local mayors’ bad performance.