Montevideo.- As if he were a wizard in distress, the Uruguayan Broad Front has an ace up his sleeve to win the elections: former President José Mujica, who will once again seek to convince the population, recover lost votes and help his political force to defeat the Elections. Despite his 84 years, the former guerrilla, deputy, senator and president between 2010 and 2015 is increasingly involved with the political campaign and on Thursday he decided to take a new step: to accept to be part of a future cabinet if the candidate of the Broad Front (FA , left), Daniel Martinez, wins on November 24.
Faced with the “multicolored coalition” with a view to a future government achieved by its rival in the second round, the candidate of the National Party (PN, center right), Luis Lacalle Pou, with agreements with the main opposition forces, the FA has turned its view to its ‘old guard’ to recapture the disgruntled.
Lacalle. / EFE.
Martinez won 39% of the vote in the first round, a result below expected in the front-front ranks and which makes it very difficult to get a fourth consecutive term. MUJICA, OF SENADOR MORE VOTED TO LEAVE ITS BANK “Pepe” Mujica was elected as a senator for the next legislative period (2020-2025) and its list 609, of the Popular Participation Movement (MPP), was the most voted within the FA, with 283,689 votes. If Martínez wins in the balotage, Mujica must relinquish his seat to face the tasks of the Ministry of Livestock, Agriculture and Fisheries, whose front was already between 2005 and 2008 – during the first presidency of Tabaré Vázquez (2005-2010) – and was one of the responsible for livestock traceability. Last year the former president had also said goodbye to his seat as a senator to take “a leave of absence before he died of old age,” but the MPP convinced him to re-run and fight from within Parliament once again. Now, the plans of the former Tupamaro guerrilla could change and focus on other tasks even though, on more than one occasion, he expressed his intention to finish his political career at the Palace Legislativo.LA “CHANGA” THAT IS BIG TO MUJICAThe ex-man Uruguay admitted that he accepted Martinez’s proposal because “one cannot fail to be” and is always willing to accompany the efforts that the political force demands of him.” For reasons of age, of skeletons, of guts, this is a changa (temporary work) that fits me great. Because you have to cause a lot of trundae and get very intiquect. But I cannot and should not say no to my dear companion,” he said, referring to Martinez. During his future tenure, the political octogenarian said he will try to favor people who risk in the field and not turn their backs on him.” It’s clumsy that countryman has to be brute, thick-handed people, who read little and talk little. The country people of Uruguay who come before you have to be intellectually promoted, intellectually committed and be an essential part of the development of the country,” he said, SALVATION TABLE FOR THE FA? After several announcements with fewer bells internationally, to the surprise of many Martínez confirmed on Thursday Mujica as holder of the aforementioned portfolio and the current economy minister, Danilo Astori, as next chancellor, if he is the next President of Uruguay.” I come to present as ministers two colleagues who do not need more presentation, are more than known, but who are just going to give us that balance, that experience, that political support that is so important when generating a team,” Martinez said during the ad.
Martínez. / EFE file.
Experience, political trajectory and popular roots are just a few of the reasons why these two historic Uruguayan politicians would return to ministerial activity in a new period of FA rule (in power since 2005). Most political analysis in Uruguay highlights that the FA’s appeal to two ‘heavyweights’ is the last bullet to rescue lost votes in the first round in favor of options such as Colorado Party (PC, center right) or Open Lobby (CA, right).” MANOTAZO DE AHOGADO” AND “SOCORRO!”, SOME CRITICISMS OPOSITORASThe figure of Mujica in Uruguay is as loved as it is hated by the population and the political spectrum; so they did not delay in reaching the criticism within the opposition to The announcement of Martínez.In this sense, the senator-elect of the PN, the tycoon Juan Sartori, noted that he did not know if the announcement was a joke or “a chokeful slate” to get any more votes. The current MP and senator elected by the NDP Jorge Gandini also posted on his Twitter account and put: “Astori and Mujica Ministers? SOCORRO!!!!!”.
Astori and Mujica Ministers?
Relief!!!!! — Jorge Gandini (@jorgegandini)
November 7, 2019
“With Mujica to Livestock and Astori to the Chancellery cardboard full of total continuism. Martinez ensures with greater certainty two things: that in his government he will send the apparatus of the FA and that it will be more of the same on all issues. Change is essential,” former Independent Party candidate Pablo Mieres put president on his Twitter.
With Mujica to Ganadería and Astori to the Chancellery cardboard full of total continuism. @Dmartinez_uy assures with greater certainty two things: that in his government he will send the apparatus of the FA and that it will be more of the same in all matters. A change @pindependiente is essential — Pablo Mieres (@Pablo_Mieres)
November 7, 2019
Mujica, who until yesterday believed that he was going to quietly start working as a senator, now put on his minister’s suit, go out to tour the country and try, probably for the last time, to convince the population that the political project he integrates must continue in the government for another five years.
