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.

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