Abstract

PEREZ TALIA, Marcos. The Liberal Party of Paraguay: Reorganization, Internal Crisis and Adaptation in Democratic Times (1989-2021). Temas debates (En línea) [online]. 2021, n.42, pp.87-118. ISSN 1853-984X.

The Liberal Party of Paraguay is the oldest party organization in the country and one of the oldest in the region. During the dictatorships of the 20th century, the party was persecuted, outlawed and encouraged to multiple divisions. Once the dictatorship of general Stroessner (1989) fell and the transition to democracy began, liberalism - then divided into five parties - had to quickly reorganize itself to compete for national and sub-national positions. Despite the doubts and uncertainties regarding its chances of becoming competitive, the electoral results soon showed that the party organization knew how to adapt to the new democratic challenges. This work explores, in an electoral key, the process of reorganization and adaptation of Paraguayan liberalism between 1989 and 2021, dividing party history into three stages: (i) party reorganization (1989-1998); (ii) factional struggle, alliances and government (1999-2013); and (iii) return to opposition and party stability (2013-2021). It shows how internal instability and lack of cohesion is capable of generating external crises (being one of the causes of Lugo's downfall), while, inside, it serves as a source of vitality from its wide range of possible liberal options.

Keywords : Liberal Party; Paraguay; Party politics.

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