The National Republican Association – Colorado Party (ANR) retained its majority in the Chamber of Deputies and remained the largest party in the Senate. Its presidential candidate, former senator Mario Abdo, defeated Mr. Efrain Alegre of the Authentic Radical Liberal Party (PLRA, which led the GANAR coalition in 2018). On 15 August, Mr. Abdo was sworn in as the new President along with his deputy, Mr. Hugo Velazquez, former Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies.

During the election campaign, the major parties focused on anti-corruption measures, tax policies and the economy. The ANR promised to continue current low-tax policies aimed at stimulating foreign investment.

The 2018 elections were the first to be held after attempted constitutional amendments in 2017. After the Senate passed amendments that would have allowed President Horacio Cartes (ANR, see note) to seek re-election in 2018, protesters stormed and set fire to the Congress. Paraguay's Constitution has prohibited second terms since it was passed in 1992, and after the 35-year dictatorship of Mr. Alfredo Stroessner fell in 1989. In April, President Cartes said he would not seek re-election in order to preserve stability in the country. The Chamber of Deputies subsequently rejected the constitutional amendments passed by the Senate.

Note:
Under the Constitution, former presidents become life senators who do not have voting rights. Mr. Cartes, who was constitutionally barred from seeking a new presidential term, was elected to the Senate as a full-fledged senator. Opposition senators argued that the former President should have become a life senator. Due to incompatibilities of the posts, Mr. Cartes offered to resign as President to take up a senatorial post, the mandate of which starts on 1 July. However, his resignation was rejected by the Senate on 30 May as the chamber was inquorate. On 26 June, he withdrew his resignation as President, which consequently barred him from taking up a senatorial post.