Paraguay

Senate

Political system
Presidential system
Structure of parliament
Bicameral
IPU membership
Yes

Election results

Data on parliamentary elections, including the background, candidates, voter turnout, results and the formation of the new legislature. By default the latest election results are displayed. Select a date to view results from previous elections.

Background

Election date(s)
30 Apr 2023
Date of dissolution of the outgoing legislature
No information available
Timing of election
Upon normal expiry
Expected date of next elections
30 Apr 2028
Number of seats at stake
45
Scope of elections
Full renewal

Candidates

Number of parties contesting the election
18
Total number of candidates
810
Number of male candidates
584
Number of female candidates
226
Percentage of women candidates
27.9%

Voter turnout

Registered voters
4,789,240

Results

About the election

The ruling National Republican Association/Colorado Party (ANR) won the elections. It retained the majority in the 80-member Chamber of Deputies and regained the majority in the 45-member Senate. The Authentic Radical Liberal Party (PLRA) – Alliances came distant second. In the presidential elections held in parallel, former Finance Minister Santiago Peña (ANR) defeated Mr. Efraín Alegre (PLRA). Mr. Peña is due to succeed President Mario Abdo Benítez (who was constitutionally barred to seek a new term) on 15 August 2023.

During election campaigning, the major parties focused on health care, the education system and the economy. Paraguay is the sole country in South America to have diplomatic relations with Taiwan. Mr. Peña (ANR) defended Paraguay’s relationship with Taiwan but said that he would seek more trade with China. Mr. Alegre (PLRA) argued that the relations with Taiwan should be reviewed.

Number of parties winning seats
7
Percentage of parties winning seats
38.9%
Percentage of seats won by largest party or coalition
51.1%
Alternation of power after elections
No
Number of parties in government
1
Names of parties in government
National Republican Association/Colorado Party (ANR)

Parties or coalitions winning seats

Parties or coalitions winning seats
Political group Total
National Republican Association/Colorado Party (ANR) 23
Authentic Radical Liberal Party (PLRA) - Alliances 12
National Crusade Party (CN) 5
National Encounter Alliance 2
National Democratic Conscience (CDN) 1
Guasú Front (Frente Guasú) 1
Beloved Fatherland Movement (Patria Querida", PPQ) 1
Members elected, by sex
Number of men elected
34
Number of women elected
11
Percentage of women elected
24.4%
Women Directly Elected
11
Sources

Congress (31.05.2023)

Tribunal Superior de Justicia Electoral (09.06.2023)

https://tsje.gov.py/elecciones-generales-2023.html

AP

BBC Monitoring

https://www.as-coa.org

New legislature

Total number of men after the election
34
Total number of women after the election
11
Percentage of women after the election
24.4%
First-term parliamentarians
No information available
Percentage of first-term parliamentarians
No information available
Date of the first session
01 Jul 2023

First Speaker of the new legislature

Personal details for the first Speaker of the new legislature
Silvio Adalberto Ovelar Benítez (Male)
Date of birth: 20 Nov 1967
Date of election
01 Jul 2023

Historical data for IPU membership

Historical data for IPU membership
Year IPU membership
2020-09
List of values for 2020-09
No
2019-04
List of values for 2019-04
No
2018-06
List of values for 2018-06
No