President of Paraguay facts for kids

Quick facts for kids President of the Republic of Paraguay
Standard of the president
Incumbent Santiago Peña since 15 August 2023
Style	Mr. President (informal) Most Excellent Mr. President of the Republic (official) Su Excelencia (alternative formal, diplomatic)
Residence	Mburuvicha Róga
Seat	Palacio de los López, Asunción
Appointer	Direct popular election
Term length	Five years, non-renewable
Formation	13 March 1844
First holder	Carlos Antonio López
Deputy	Vice President of Paraguay
Salary	61,054,085 Paraguayan guarani/8,587 USD per month

The President of Paraguay is the main leader of the country. This important role means they are both the head of state (the symbolic leader of the country) and the head of government (the person in charge of running the country day-to-day). The official name for this position is the President of the Republic of Paraguay. People often call the president Su Excelencia, which means "His or Her Excellency."

The current President of Paraguay is Santiago Peña. He started his job on August 15, 2023. The president works at the Palacio de los López in Asunción, which is the capital city. The president's home is called the Mburuvicha Róga, also in Asunción. After presidents finish their term, they become a senator for life. This means they can speak in the Senate but cannot vote on laws.

What Does the President Do?

Who Can Be President?

To become President of Paraguay, a person must meet a few requirements. They need to be a naturalized citizen, meaning they were either born in Paraguay or have officially become a citizen. They must also be at least 35 years old. Finally, they need to have full political and civil rights, which means they can vote and participate in society.

How Is the President Chosen?

The President and the Vice President are chosen together in one election. People vote directly for them. This election happens between 90 and 120 days before the current president's term ends on August 15.

The president serves for a single term of five years. They cannot be re-elected, meaning they cannot run for president again after their term finishes. This rule was put in place after a time when a former leader was re-elected many times without limits. If the Vice President wants to run for president, they must leave their current job six months before the election.

President's Responsibilities

The President of Paraguay has many important jobs and powers. These duties help them lead the country and make sure things run smoothly.

1. Representing the Country: The president represents Paraguay to other countries and manages the country's overall administration.
2. Upholding Laws: They must follow and make sure everyone else follows the Constitution of Paraguay and all other laws.
3. Creating Laws: The president helps create new laws.
4. Vetoing Laws: They can reject laws passed by the Congress if they don't agree with them.
5. Issuing Decrees: The president can issue official orders, called decrees, which need approval from a government minister.
6. Appointing Officials: They choose and remove ministers in the government, the Attorney General, and other public officials.
7. Managing Foreign Relations: The president handles Paraguay's relationships with other countries around the world.
8. Reporting to Congress: They inform the Congress about what the government has done and shares plans for the future of the country.
9. Commander-in-Chief: The president is the top leader of Paraguay's Armed Forces.
10. Pardoning Sentences: They can pardon or reduce sentences given by judges and courts, after getting a report from the Supreme Court.
11. Calling Congress: The president can call special meetings of the Congress.
12. Proposing Bills: They can suggest new laws to the Congress.
13. Budget Planning: The president prepares and presents the country's yearly budget plan.

Who Takes Over if the President Can't Serve?

If the President and Vice President cannot do their jobs, other people are ready to step in. First in line is the President of the Senate. If they cannot serve, then the President of the Chamber of Deputies takes over. If neither of them can, then the President of the Supreme Court of Justice becomes president.

Presidential Buildings

The President's Home

The Mburuvicha Róga in Asunción is where the President of Paraguay lives. It was first built in 1930.

The President's Workplace

The Palacio de los López is the official office of the president. It is located in the center of Asunción. The palace was first ordered to be built in 1844 by Paraguay's first president, Carlos Antonio López. He planned for it to be for his son, Francisco Solano López. The building was finished in 1867, during a big war called the Paraguayan War. Because of the war, Solano López never actually used the palace. The building was badly damaged in the war. It was finally repaired and restored in 1894 by Juan Bautista Egusquiza, who was the first president to use it as his official workplace.

Images for kids

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  Mburuvicha Róga, the official residence

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  Palacio de los López, the official workplace

Latest Election

2023 Paraguayan general election

See Also

In Spanish: Presidente de Paraguay para niños

• First Lady of Paraguay
• List of presidents of Paraguay