 The Colorados had held the presidency without interruption since 1947 (from 1947 to 1962 as the "de jure" sole legal party, and from 1962 to 1989 as the "de facto" sole legal party).Additionally, when Lugo took office on 15 August, it marked the first time since Paraguay gained independence in 1813 that an incumbent government peacefully transferred power to an elected member of the opposition.The following candidates ran for president