Paraguay Lugo ousted: Your reaction

Paraguay's Senate has voted to impeach left-wing President Fernando Lugo, forcing him to step down.

Both houses of Congress had voted on Thursday to begin impeachment proceedings over his handling of clashes between farmers and police last week in which at least 17 people died.

Federico Franco, who replaced Mr Lugo as president, denied that Mr Lugo's removal from office was a coup. BBC News website readers in Paraguay share their thoughts on their country's political change.

Margaret Hebblethwaite, Santa Maria

Margaret Hebblethwaite: "This is a coup. It's motivated by the lust for power and money"

This is a coup, everyone says so. It's motivated by the lust for power and money and the lack of a culture of democracy.

The Colorado Party and the Liberal Party are trying to get their hands on state coffers to fund their election expenses for next April's election.

They don't like Lugo because he has no party and is not one of them, and has been trying to do things like introduce income tax which the parliament has constantly voted down.

Thousands of people trying to come up from the countryside to demonstrate were prevented.

There were police barriers, buses stopped running and a lot of media coverage stressed how dangerous it was: some think that was stirred up to prevent opposition to the coup.

Ronald Burnett, Asuncion

I think the impeachment was quick but legal and most legal experts agree. The votes in both the Senate and Deputies were overwhelming. They felt they had to move quickly to avoid left wing inspired violence.

Franco is well respected and considered to be a clear thinker of the political centre. He did very well in the 2008 elections as vice to Lugo.

On the night of the impeachment there was some trouble down town close to parliament but it was well controlled by the police, with no violence. In the rest of the city there was calm but some stores and offices did close as a precaution.

The current situation is one of total calm. It is difficult to digest that we have a new president with no violence. There seems to be a feeling of relief that it is over. The new ministers seem to be well accepted although some people worry about the reaction of neighbouring countries.

Your comments

The last incident during Mr Lugo's period of mandate was the main clash between farmers and police, which was ambushed. Despite this there was no real action from the head of government. <bold>Faustino, Curuguaty</bold>

I believe that our senators do not like Chavez and Cristina Kirchner. Government's like theirs are trying to be re-elected - that is their principle concern. It is a power-game. Federico is a good man, but he has to work together with congress to prevent problems. <bold>Jeffrey, Asuncion</bold>