Paraguay president withdraws resignation and Senate bid
Pedro Servin, Associated Press
Updated 1:29 pm, Tuesday, June 26, 2018
ASUNCION, Paraguay (AP) Paraguay's President Horacio Cartes said Tuesday he was withdrawing his resignation, signaling at least temporary defeat in his effort to take a full Senate seat and extend his influence and perhaps legal protections after his term ends in August.
Cartes made the announcement in a tweet, expressing frustration that he'd been unable to get enough Senate votes to approve the resignation that would allow him to take up the Senate seat by the June 30 deadline, about six weeks before his presidential term ends. The country's constitution forbids officials to hold two offices at once.
The president, barred from re-election, won a Senate seat in the April 22 election, apparently hoping that the position would help extend his influence into the future. Critics also say he may be motivated by the fact a Senate seat would grant him immunity from prosecution for any crimes.
Both opposition parties and dissident members of Cartes' own Colorado Party blocked his attempt to resign.
More:
https://www.chron.com/news/crime/article/Paraguay-president-withdraws-resignation-and-13027282.php