VICE PRESIDENT RESIGNS TO RUN FOR PRESIDENT

C O N F I D E N T I A L ASUNCION 000830 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/06/2027 TAGS: PGOV PREL PA SUBJECT: VICE PRESIDENT RESIGNS TO RUN FOR PRESIDENT Classified By: Michael J. Fitzpatrick; reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (U) As expected, Vice President Luis Castiglioni submitted his resignation October 5 in accordance with the constitutional requirement that he vacate public office six months before national elections scheduled for April 20. Despite intial confusion, it appears Castiglioni will remain in office (and in fact, will be acting president while President Duarte is in Taiwan October 5-12) until Congress accepts his resignation. Castiglioni's replacement has not been identified; Congress is currently not in session. ¶2. (U) Castiglioni has registered his faction of the Colorado Party to participate in the April 2008 elections and is one of the top Colorado candidates competing in that party's primary December 16. The winner of that primary, as well as the winners of the other parties' primaries, must then formally register as candidates between December 12 and February 1, 2008. ¶3. (C) COMMENT: There is increasing speculation about whether Congress will accept the Vice President's resignation and what impact a delay in congressional action could have on his candidacy. If worst comes to worst, Castiglioni may have to take legal action to protect his right to run for president. If so, the Supreme Court, controlled by the Colorado Party (and specifically, President Duarte) will likely determine whether he can run. Given the legal and constitutional controversies swirling around the candidacies of former bishop Fernando Lugo and former coup plotter Lino Oviedo, the Supreme Court is likely to have a significant influence over the outcome of the April elections. END COMMENT. Please visit us at http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/wha/asuncion CASON