gated 20 June 1992

Legal system: based on Argentine codes, Roman law, and French
codes; judicial review of legislative acts in Supreme Court of
Justice; does not accept compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory up to age 60

Executive branch:
chief of state: President Luis GONZALEZ Macchi (since 28 March
1999); note--the president is both the chief of state and head of
government
head of government: President Luis GONZALEZ Macchi (since 28 March
1999); note--the president is both the chief of state and head of
government
cabinet: Council of Ministers nominated by the president
elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket
by popular vote for five-year terms; election last held 10 May 1998
(next to be held NA May 2003)
election results: Raul CUBAS Grau elected president; percent of
vote--55.3%; resigned 28 March 1999
note: President Luis GONZALEZ Macchi, formerly president of the
Chamber of Senators, constitutionally succeeded President Raul CUBAS
Grau, who resigned following the assassination of Vice President
Luis Maria ARGANA; the successor to ARGANA will be decided in an
election to be held in late 1999

Legislative branch: bicameral Congress or Congreso consists of
the Chamber of Senators or Camara de Senadores (45 seats; members
are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) and the
Chamber of Deputies or Camara de Diputados (80 seats; members are
elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)
elections: Chamber of Senators--last held 10 May 1998 (next to be
held NA May 2003); Chamber of Deputies--last held 10 May 1998 (next
to be held NA May 2003)
election results: Chamber of Senators--percent of vote by party--NA;
seats by party--Colorado Party 24, PLRA/PEN 20, other 1; Chamber of
Deputies--percent of vote by party--NA; seats by party--Colorado Party
45, PLRA/PEN 35

Judicial branch: Supreme Court of Justice (Corte Suprema de
Justicia), judges appointed on the proposal of the Counsel of
Magistrates (Consejo de la Magistratura)

Political parties and leaders: National Republican
Maria LJUBETIC]

Political pressure groups and leaders: Unitary Workers Central or
CUT; Roman Catholic Church; National Workers Central or CNT;
Paraguayan Workers Confederation or CPT

International organization participation: CCC, ECLAC, FAO, G-77,
IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM