Written by Michael Fox | |
Fernando Lugo, the opposition candidate and progressive former bishop, has won with just over ten points above his closest challenger Colorado candidate, Blanca Ovelar. Mark this one down in the books because this moment is already engrained in the hearts of many Paraguayans - both here and across the globe. It is not some far off dream. It is the realization of decades of struggle, beneath a repressive dictatorship, which sent thousands of Paraguayans in to exile. It is finally the fall of the dictatorship, which was never fully realized in 1989, as power was passed from dictator Alfredo Stroessner in to the hands of another Colorado party member. It is the realization of truly legitimate elections, which portrayed the will of the people for the first time in as long as anyone here can remember. Suddenly the massive crowd before us breaks into a spontaneous choir of the Paraguayan national anthem. "I've never heard our anthem like this before," says my Paraguayan friend, turning to me with a large smile. "It never meant anything before." It is, without a doubt, one of the most beautiful things I have ever heard. I am sure that those around me are feeling the same way. Michael Fox is reporting on the Paraguayan elections for UpsideDownWorld.org. Stay tuned for more... |
Monday, April 21, 2008
Another win for democracy, blow to empire
Paraguay Celebrates Lugo's Historic Victory
Original article posted here.
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