Economy
The accession of Venezuela as full member of the Common Market of the South (Mercosur) will continue to be "shelved" in the Paraguayan Congress, at least until early next year, two senators of ruling party Alianza Patriótica para el Cambio (APC) told DPA.

Sixto Pereira, Vice President of the Paraguayan Senate and leader of the Tekojojá party said that the Congress is unlikely to address the issue this year because "there are not political conditions and the correlation of forces" is not favorable.

He said that the decision of the Brazilian Senate Committee "may influence" the will of the Paraguayan opposition, which so far has refused to accept the entry of Venezuela due to several economic, political and ideological reasons.

"Members of the traditional parties have continuously expressed their views against (Venezuela's entry)," Pereira complained. However, he added that "Brazil's stance can be an element of pressure."

Meanwhile, Senator Luis Alberto Wagner, who is a member of the liberal party (Partido Liberal Radical Auténtico, PLRA), agreed with Pereira and said that "for now" Venezuela's entry into the economic bloc will not be included in the Congress' agenda.

"Most of the legislators do not want to," Wagner said in reference to the opposition block which includes the Colorado Party, the National Union of Ethical Citizens (Unace), led by Lino Oviedo, and the Dear Fatherhood (Patria Querida) party and "some liberal lawmakers."