General Stroessner's failing health and grasp of affairs, disputes among the military elite about the succession, and economic discontent, brought General Rodrφguez to power in 1989 in a one-night coup. His promise to bring in democracy was fulfilled in 1993 in the first free elections in 60 years of military rule. The PC, Stroessner's old ruling party, still received sufficient support to win both congressional and presidential elections. However, Guillermo Caballero Vargas, a leading businessman representing the PRLA and a chief exponent of free-market ideology, won half of Asunci≤n's votes, suggesting his party may do even better in the next elections.
