Impeachment in Paraguay 2012: the case of Fernando Lugo

Title from PDF of title page (University of Missouri--Columbia, viewed on September 13, 2013).The entire thesis text is included in the research.pdf file; the official abstract appears in the short.pdf file; a non-technical public abstract appears in the public.pdf file.Thesis advisor: Dr. Moisés ArceIncludes bibliographical references.M.A. University of Missouri--Columbia 2013.Dissertations, Academic -- University of Missouri--Columbia -- Political science."May 2013"[ACCESS RESTRICTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI AT AUTHOR'S REQUEST.] The literature of impeachment process in South America shows that since 1978 to 2005, 25% of all presidents were removed and 65% of those who were challenged to an impeachment process were likewise removed. Paraguay witnessed the most recent impeachment process in the region when on June 22, 2012, Fernando Lugo, the elected president, was removed from his position in a quick process that lasted less than 24 hours. Scholars agree that presidential impeachments are the consequences of a complex chain of factors. They also agree that in the majority of impeachment cases three factors appear to be important. These factors will be classified as risky factors. They are 1) presidents are involved in scandals of corruption, abuse of power, or illegal activities; 2) they have a minority coalition in parliament; and c) they are willing to apply neoliberal policies. Additionally, the literature suggests a necessary condition identified in the presence of mass social protest on the streets. The case of Paraguay shows some congruence and incongruity with the literature, therefore adding more information to the understanding of the impeachment phenomena