The interview with the president Luis Lacalle Pou in Underlined he had several outstanding moments. In particular, the round trip with the journalist Blanca Rodríguez, who has already interviewed him on other occasions and who took him through various topics.
Within a cordial climate, at times the interview had some high points, and also room for some humorous comments from the president.
“Do not generalize”
One of them was when they talked about the Astesian theme. Blanca asked him if the scandal undermined the credibility of the country, the president said no and the journalist cross-examined him, arguing that people around her were involved in crimes.
“Do not generalize. It is singular. He is not a ruler, a vice president, for example, a minister of the Economy…”, said Lacalle.
And there he went on to criticize the Broad Front for what he understood were crossing personal limits in their attacks, and he exemplified: “I have a habit as a child that when I have a… I have no daily relationship with you, but if tomorrow they tell me that Blanca did such a thing and I have the need to express it, denounce it, the first thing I’m going to do is call you on the phone. I’m not going to go out and beat you up because maybe it’s not true or it’s not how they told me.”
“I am not President of the Republic,” said the journalist.
And the president replied: “I am president of the Republic for 727 days. You’re Blanca, I don’t know how long you’re going to be in Underlined, but how it seems they’re doing quite well, I think they’re going to leave you a lot of time”.
“He says we take it for good as if it were not”
Another tense moment occurred at the beginning of the interview, when they were talking about the announcements of lower taxes and Blanca retorted the two-point increase in VAT. “That statement is very good because we take it for granted,” said the president, to which the journalist replied:
-“I increase two points the VAT president, because he says we take it as good as if it were not”.
“The issue is like this. We are going to analyze it. Maybe you are right, but let me make my reasoning. Because what has been heard is what you say, it has its part of the truth, we are not going to discuss it,” said the president. “Sorry, you tell me that having obtained that 2% benefit means half… Let’s not confuse. One thing is VAT and another thing is the 2 discount points with the debit card. Those who need it the most did not use it.”
“I think I already answered you, but I’ll be right back”
At another time, when they were talking about how many people were affected by the loss of income tax and IASS, Blanca Rodríguez insisted that it was a “limited percentage” of families that were going to benefit. There the president replied: “I think I already answered you, but I’ll be back. We’re going to do an exercise and I’ll take a few minutes from you. Because now everyone is discussing whether or not it’s good to lower taxes or whether it’s a lot or a little.”
“Play it when is that audio”
Speaking of the audio of the prosecutor Gabriela Fossatiin which he complains about the lack of collaboration from the government, Lacalle went on the attack.
– “I’m glad to mention it. Play it from when is that audio”, Lacalle rushed her.
-“It’s supposed to be from now”, says Blanca
– “It’s October or November,” said Lacalle.
-“How do you know?” Blanca asked.
“Because it is known and because it was said by a colleague of yours yesterday or tomorrow. And so much so that it was also said by a colleague of yours, I do not want to play the journalist because it is not appropriate, that if someone collaborated it was the Presidency of the Republic. That audio is prior to this statement from the prosecutor so you can see how the audios are used in a bad way.”
