Saturday, June 23, 2012

Federico Franco

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