Lugo has not ruled out returning to run for president

06/28/2012 - 11h10

Fernando Lugo does not rule out returning to the presidency of Paraguay. Through elections.

Therefore he intends to get all the information about legal aspects that concern his status after being removed from power.

In an interview with Folha, he said he recognizes the impossibility of re-election in the country, but stressed that, removed from the presidency, the situation is different.

"With this parliamentary coup, I lost my status as senator for life and became a common citizen. I have all my political rights to exercise and within those rights, there is always the possibility of an electoral candidacy. "

Officially, the Lugo's supporters have bet lower. The primary presidential candidate for the Front Guasu (which he supports), Mario Ferreiro, said the coalition should form a list for the parliamentary election, with Lugo for Senate.

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Folha - The defense argues that you were a target of political persecution. Who did your government displease?

Fernando Lugo - For the first time, in 2008, someone came to power who belonged to no political party, which had no membership in any party, who never got into party politics. And having a stranger in the Palace of Lopez upset some, especially the leaders of the traditional parties.

Moreover, for 2013 elections are just around the corner, and the traditional parties say they will return. The only way [found] was to shut off a distinctive political project to take power again.

What are your plans for 2013? To return as a candidate?

We have to analyze the legal and political aspects well, if there is a possibility, and I think not, for re-election in Paraguay. But what we saw is that with this parliamentary coup, I lost my status as senator for life and became a common citizen.

Within the limits of the ordinary citizen, I have all my political rights to exercise and within those rights, there is always the possibility of an electoral candidacy.

Including for the Presidency?

That needs to be studied.

But you don't rule it out.

If the law allows, and if it is consensual, and depending on the talks between the political groups who represent us... [We will see] if there is the legal and political possibility and what the citizens will decide. The road is long, but the last word has not yet been given.

Do you think that your departure is similar to the coup dealt against Manuel Zelaya in Honduras?

In a way, yes. Zelaya belonged to a traditional party of Honduras, but we had similarities in terms of [prioritizing] important social policies.

All these new processes, which have to do with participatory democracy, of policy making with citizens, annoy those who only see their party and its interests.

But there the sector that performed the coup was the military. Here, there wasn't much discontent among the military and police.

How did you receive the support of the countries in the region?

We analyzed calmly. I think that what happened in Paraguay caught everyone's attention. You do not want to insinuate [in Paraguay] that nothing happened here. There was violent institutional breakdown, in a crude way such as was done by Parliament.

You have talked with the Brazilian government since your departure?

We saw the Chancellor [Antonio Patriota] when he came to Asuncion.

But they already have all the elements, all the information at the country level and Mercosul to make the decisions they think best.

Do you expect that governments follow not recognizing the government of Franco?

I want the best for the country and make a strong distinction between what is the country and what is the government.

I do not want any economic sanctions, because it hurts the country, the lower class: the producers of fruits, vegetables. Fernando Lugo does not want this.

But yes, I believe there was an institutional breakdown and countries have to think, to reflect and decide on what position should be taken in relation to the current government.

How can the formation of a parallel cabinet can help you?

There has been no parallel government formed. I am a Paraguayan citizen concerned about what happened.

We want all projects and programs to have continuity, because they are part of a legal policy which cannot be cut. Citizens have the right to continue to receive the benefits from the Paraguayan State.

The charge to remove you from power was the "poor performance of functions." What would you have done differently in your term?

Strengthen democracy. Until now, democracy is the best system of participation and of consolidating a more equitable society. Equality in political terms, in social terms.

In Paraguay, there is a lot of contrast between the groups: a small affluent group and a large majority of marginal groups practically living in poverty and misery.

Would you have acted differently in the case of Curuguaty [agrarian conflict that left 17 dead and was the trigger for the impeachment]?

We want to see a special commission of inquiry that works in depth, without partial reports.

We can not just settle for the police report.

Translated by DAVE WOLIN