The President of the Republic, Luis Lacalle Pou, was in charge of closing the America Business Forum 2022.
In a packed auditorium at the Punta del Este Convention Center, the president was interviewed by the event’s presenter, Ismael Cala.
“I’m not having the best day,” he said, speaking of his energy, when asked how he handles stress in a position like his.
The president alluded to the Los Andes tragedy due to an event that took place during the day and indicated that when faced with a story like that “it is not possible for me to fall and not get up.”
How is Uruguay in relation to the America Business Forum 2021? Cala asked. “We are in a frank economic recovery,” indicated Lacalle Pou and said that last year 50,000 jobs were created and he also pointed out the decrease in the deficit.
He also referred to those who bear the brunt of crises. “We are talking about people who lack a plate of food and with that you cannot do politics,” he said about the crossings for the popular pots that have occurred in recent days and was applauded.
Meanwhile, he defined himself as optimistic with a view to the future of the country and affirmed that Uruguay has to “play on the big field.”
Applauded by the audience, the president referred to the educational transformation that, in his opinion, “has met with a very conservative spirit” and said that the pioneers and those who think outside the box “are the ones who are going to make us grow ” and, for this “educational transformation is a pillar”.
In the region and the world
Asked about Mercosur, the president joked that he should not talk about other governments. At this point he noted that, within the government, if the analysts had been right, “the coalition would have been dead for years,” however, “it continues and will continue until the end of the government.”
Back in Mercosur, he indicated that if he were guided by ideological affinity “we would be fried.” “I don’t like international organizations that are friendly clubs.”
“Uruguay is going to open up to the world and sign free trade agreements,” he said.
In addition to the process that is underway with China, the president pointed out that before the end of the year he will send the letter for the Trans-Pacific Agreement and that he is also negotiating with Turkey.
Indoors
Ismael Cala asked about his personal life and, specifically, about his separation from Lorena Ponce de León. The president confirmed that last Thursday, October 6, he went to greet her for her birthday and highlighted the good relationship they maintain. Along the same lines, when asked about the news being made public and appearances not being “kept up” as is done in other cases, Lacalle Pou pointed out: “It depends on whether you want to live with a veil or not” and noted that he prefers freedom.
When asked about the Astesiano case, the president received encouragement and applause from some of those present.
“I trust that people are good until proven otherwise.”
What does Lacalle Pou do to take out his frustration? “I talk a lot, I talk a lot with people,” the president responded to the presenter’s sudden question. “When you can speak, you are freer” and “a president has to have an open heart,” he said.
The interviewer then continued with a series of short ping-pong questions.
Have you ever regretted being president? “You’re crazy. Every day I get up and I appreciate being the president of this country”, “I get up and say you are president of the best country in the world”.
Who always answers the phone? Asked Cala: “My mom,” said the president and also aroused applause from those present.
What do you thank your parents for? “Love for my country. They made me a patriot, love for the country that is its people.”
If you had the possibility to ask a virtual assistant to solve something for you, what would it be? “What I promised on March 1, 2020,” she pointed out after confusing the year 2020 with 2025 and causing laughter from the audience and jokes about the re-election that, she said, will not happen.
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