Another Twitter president.Protesters stormed and set fire to Paraguay’s Congress on Friday after the senate secretly voted for a constitutional amendment that would allow President Horacio Cartes to run for re-election.
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The senate voted earlier on Friday during a special session in a closed office rather than on the senate floor. Twenty-five lawmakers voted for the measure, two more than the 23 required for passage in the 45-member upper chamber.
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The proposal will also require approval by the lower house, where it appeared to have strong support. A vote which had been expected early on Saturday was called off until the situation calmed down.
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A similar re-election proposal had been rejected in August and congress this week voted to change the rules that required lawmakers to wait a year before voting again.
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Several politicians and journalists were injured [in the protest], media reported, and the interior minister, Tadeo Rojas, said several police were hurt. One member of the lower house of congress, who had been participating in protests that afternoon, underwent surgery after being hit by rubber bullets.
The number of casualties was unknown.
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Cartes called for calm and a rejection of violence in a statement released on Twitter.
“Democracy is not conquered or defended with violence and you can be sure this government will continue to put its best effort into maintaining order in the republic,” he said. “We must not allow a few barbarians to destroy the peace, tranquility and general wellbeing of the Paraguayan people.”
Guardian
And by the way, democracy may be both conquered and defended with violence. In fact, that is how it is most often conquered. I dare say, however, that secret Congressional votes are not indicative of democracy.
...but hey, do what you want...you will anyway.
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