Luis
Federico Franco Gómez (born July 24, 1962) is the current President of
Paraguay. A member of the Authentic Radical Liberal Party (PLRA), he was
elected as Vice President of Paraguay in the 2008 presidential election as the
running mate of Fernando Lugo. Following Lugo's impeachment by the Senate on
June 22, 2012, Franco ascended to the Presidency.
Franco
is a surgeon by profession. He is the brother of Julio César Franco, current
senator and former chairman of Authentic Radical Liberal Party, and also a
former Vice President. Federico Franco is also former chairman of PLRA and was
Governor of Central Department from 2003 to 2008.
Early Life
Federico
Franco was born in the city of Asunción on July 27, 1962. He was married on
February 20, 1982 to Emilia Alfaro, elected deputy of Paraguay for the period
2008–2013. He is the father of four children, Luis Federico Franco, Claudia
Vanessa, Ivan Alexander and Enzo Sebastian.
Franco
studied primary school in the Dominican Republic, its baseline were conducted
at the National College of the Capital. His secondary education took place in
the Apostolic College San Jose, all in Asunción.
As
for the tertiary level, he hoped to become a doctor so he entered the Faculty
of Medical Sciences, National University of Asuncion. Upon completion of the
coursework in 1986 he received the title of Surgeon with an overall average of
4.56 to 5.00. Then he obtained a graduate degree in Internal Medicine.
Political Career
Federico
Franco was governor of the Central department during the 2003–2008 period, for
the Authentic Radical Liberal Party. The party discussed in 2008 if they should
support the ticket of Lugo in the presidential election or share the candidacy
with him; the second option prevailed and Franco run for the vice-presidency
under Lugo's ticket. He was critical of the presidency of Lugo, such as with
the management of lands and the 2009 controversy about Lugo's son.
Lugo
was removed from office on June 22, 2012, by a controversial impeachment in the
Congress, which is considered by UNASUR as a coup d'État. Federico Franco
became the new president then, taking the oath of office an hour later. He
would complete Lugo's mandate, up to August 2013.
From : www.wikipedia.org
