Paraguay Center-Left Coalition Takes Lead in New Poll

The presidential candidate for Paraguay's center-left coalition has taken the lead in the latest poll, just shy of one month to the general elections scheduled in the South American nation.

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Support for Efrain Alegre from the Ganar Alliance increased to 44.2 percent, placing him just two points above the Colorado Party's Marito Abdo Benitez.

The poll, conducted by the Ati Snead Consultors from March 5 to 12, showed Alegre's seven percent increase from last month's popularity polls, as well as the current state of the senatorial elections, also scheduled to take place on April 22.

The Ganar Alliance was formed as a last-minute pact between the Authentic Radical Liberal Party (PLRA) and the leftist Guasu Front of former President Fernando Lugo, who was removed from the post in 2012 after what critics called 'an institutional coup.'

Among the senators, ex-President Horacio Cartes took his polling first with 28.6 percent, while Lugo, a former bishop, is close behind in third.

According to the poll, Paraguayans believe the most pressing national issues include corruption, health, social security, education and employment.

The poll also asked participants to rate Cartes' administration, with a total of 43.6 percent responding that the former state head performed poorly as the country's leader.

The process interviewed Paraguayans over the age of 18 from the departments of Asuncion, Central, San Pedro, Cordillera, Caaguazu, Itapua, Misions, Paraguari and Alto Parana.