Work and health, big problems

(CNN Spanish) – Santiago Peña, the elected president of Paraguay, outlined the priorities of his government, which will begin on August 15, during a conversation with CNN Redacción Buenos Aires.

“Job creation and improving health care today are the biggest problems,” he said in the interview.

Peña commented that over the course of the year and a half that he has been campaigning, he has noticed that people are very concerned about these issues, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The pandemic has hit hard and strengthened the argument that we should have public health systems that are prepared to be able to serve the population,” he added.

The elected president stressed that in the transitional months he will work on an economic plan that achieves “social welfare as soon as possible.”

Regarding his relationship with other political spaces, Peña said he aims to maintain an “open, direct and respectful” link.

“I won with just under 50% of the vote,” he said, “I can rule with them, but I can’t get 50% of the Paraguayans against me.”

Part of the Colorado Party, Peña emphasized that during his time as Minister of the Economy, he encouraged dialogue between sectors and called for a replication of that experience “so that Paraguay can create a united Paraguayan family”.

“I am convinced that we will be able to do this in the coming years,” said the president-elect.

Peña won last Sunday’s election with nearly 43% of the vote. He ran on the ticket with Pedro Aliana as his vice-presidential candidate.