Paraguayan politics in 2017 was dominated by two central events: 1) the attempt to modify the constitution to allow for presidential reelection, and 2) party primaries in anticipation of the 2018 general elections. The amendment to allow for reelection was not approved, but the informal procedures through which it was advanced resulted in the destruction of the Congress building and the loss of a life. On the other hand, the same factions that competed over the reelection amendment also competed in the party primaries but in an organized and peaceful manner. By summarizing the main political, social and economic events that happened in Paraguay in 2017, this article suggests that institutionalized processes allow for the resolution of conflicts in a more constructive way.