With the 98.95% of tables processedthe former mayor of Asunción and pre-candidate for the Colorado dissidence, Arnaldo Samaniego, This Sunday he recognized his defeat against Camilo Pérez in the internal elections of the National Republican Association (ANR).
According to data from the Transmission of Preliminary Electoral Results (TREP), Pérez obtained 80,733 voteswhile Samaniego reached 43,037 votes, a difference of 37,696 votes which became irreversible when 753 tables had already been processed.
During a press conference at the close of election day, Samaniego stated that he had already contacted his political opponent to recognize the result.
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“As Democrats and as Colorados, we come to recognize the result. I already called the candidate from list 1, to Mr. Camilo Pérez, to wish him luck and recognize the result as Colorados and as democrats,” he expressed.
“We had more than 43,000 healthy votes,” said Samaniego.
Despite the defeat, the leader highlighted the electoral flow obtained by his movement and thanked those who supported his candidacy, especially the dissident sectors of the Colorado Party.
“We had more than 43,000 voteshealthy, convinced votes, and there goes the gratitude for the entire team,” he said.
The candidate maintained that the campaign was promoted with “mystique, courage and conviction” and assured that the dissident political project will continue to be active within the ANR. “We are not going to stop. This is just beginning. “More than ever we are uniting Colorado people,” he said.
Read more: Internal: Camilo Pérez triumphs forcefully and is the ANR candidate for mayor of Asunción
Likewise, he especially thanked the members of List 6, corresponding to Colorado Añetete Movementand to List 7, Republican Force and Causefor the work done during the campaign.
Samaniego assures that dissidence will continue to strengthen the ANR
During his message, the former mayor stated that the results reflect the existence of a internal current that observes in a different way the conduct of the Government and the Municipality of Asuncion.
“I appreciate the opportunity to be the standard-bearer of an important sector of the Colorado Party that is beginning to notice the management of the government and the management of the municipality differently,” he said.
He added that the plurality of opinions strengthens democracy and that from dissidence a political alternative can be built “healthily and with respect.”
Read more: Victory speech: Camilo Pérez will seek harmony and welcomes calls from dissidents
Finally, he thanked his family and reiterated that will continue working for Asunción and for the strengthening of the ANR. “The fight has just begunwith the aim of seeking better days for Asunción, better days for the country and a stronger Colorado Party,” he concluded.
Lilian recognizes Camilo Pérez’s victory and asks to build unity
For her part, the senator Lilian Samaniegosister of the defeated candidate, also recognized the victory of Camilo Pérez and valued the electoral performance of Arnaldo Samaniego. “Yet, the people accompanied Arnaldo and he showed him his firmness, his courage, his authenticity and his colorfulness,” he said.
Asked about the allegations of alleged use of the state structure during the campaign, she responded that “you verified that that was true.” However, he stressed that the result must be accepted and respected.
“I recognize Mr. Camilo Pérez, who today is the candidate on list 1. It is up to him how he builds unity and diversity so that this support is authentic from the 43 thousand votes that accompanied Arnaldo”, he stated.
“We must accept the people’s decision,” says the senator
Given the wide difference registered at the polls, the legislator insisted that the will of the voters must be respected. “One has to accept the rule and the decision of the people, who are sovereign,” he stated.
Read more: Asunción 2026: The five challenges that await the next mayor or mayor
According to him, one of the keys to Pérez’s victory was the support he received from the councilor candidates who made up his political team. “Thanks to your councilor candidates, “He won the internal ones.”he pointed out.
Finally, he indicated that The challenge for the winning candidate will be to also win over dissident voters. with a view to the municipal elections scheduled for October 4.
“He is the representative of the Colorado Party for the next elections and has to build with those 43 thousand votes so that that electorate really joins him on October 4,” he concluded.
