Paraguay Opposition Scores Asuncion Win, Big Test Ahead of 2028 Vote

Paraguay's opposition has won the Asuncion mayoral election, defeating the candidate from the ruling Colorado Party in a closely contested race.

The result is being seen as an important test of the government's support ahead of the country's 2028 presidential election. Opposition candidate Soledad Nunez won 47.78% of the vote, while Colorado Party candidate Camilo Perez received 45.98%, with almost all votes counted.

The victory gives the opposition control of Asuncion after the Colorado Party held the mayor's office since 2019.

It also comes alongside a strong opposition performance in Ciudad del Este, Paraguay's second-largest city. The results could give opposition groups greater confidence as they prepare for the next national election.

• Soledad Núñez wins Asuncion mayoral race as Colorado Party loses capital
• Paraguay opposition gains ground in Asuncion ahead of 2028 election
• Asuncion vote puts focus on Paraguay’s political landscape before 2028

Opposition Gains Ground in Paraguay's Major Cities

Nunez, who was a vice presidential candidate in 2023, will now take charge of a city facing serious financial and infrastructure problems. Asuncion has large debt obligations, while some public works projects have been delayed or left unfinished.

Managing the city's finances and improving basic infrastructure are likely to be among her biggest challenges. Her performance as mayor could also shape how voters view the opposition ahead of the 2028 election.

The close result in Asuncion shows how competitive the race was. Perez said he would wait for the official review of the results before accepting the outcome. The narrow gap between the two candidates has also increased interest in what the result could mean for the ruling party.

The Colorado Party, also known as the National Republican Association, has been one of the most powerful political forces in Paraguay for decades. Losing the capital could push opposition parties to work more closely together in an effort to challenge the party nationally.

The opposition also performed strongly in Ciudad del Este. Dani Mujica, a candidate from the Yo Creo movement, won the race by a wide margin. The result gives the opposition control of another important city and adds to the pressure on the ruling party.

2028 Presidential Election Begins to Take Shape

The result in Ciudad del Este is important because the Yo Creo movement is led by centrist politician Miguel Prieto, who is expected to consider a presidential run in 2028. His growing profile could make him one of the possible challengers to the Colorado Party in the next presidential election.

The municipal elections do not directly decide the 2028 presidential race, but they offer an early look at voter sentiment. Strong opposition results in major cities could encourage different opposition groups to work together and build a broader political alliance.

For the Colorado Party, the results are a warning that its long-standing dominance cannot be taken for granted. The party still has a strong political base, but the opposition has shown that it can win in key urban areas when voters come together behind alternative candidates.

For Nunez, the focus will now shift from campaigning to governing. She will have to deal with Asuncion's financial problems, infrastructure needs and unfinished projects while showing residents that the opposition can deliver on its promises.

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The Asuncion result could therefore prove important beyond the city itself. It gives Paraguay's opposition a significant political victory and provides an early indication that the 2028 presidential election could be more competitive than previous contests.