The waters are murky in the Colorado Party. The wings of Andrés Ojeda and Pedro Bordaberry They are in a tense tug-of-war over the election of new party leaders. With the tight calendar and the pressure of recent electoral defeats, the discussion about how and when to renew is hot.
This week, Álvaro Delgado met separately, first with Andrés Ojeda and then with the leadership of Vamos Uruguay, led by Bordaberry. At the meeting, where figures such as Tabaré Viera and Walter Cervini were present, the different positions on the election of the National Executive Committee (CEN) they became evident. A current issue is whether the election will be this December or postponed until next year.
During a virtual CEN session, Felipe Schipanifrom Unir Para Crecer, proposed renewing the authorities on December 14. Even respected figures like Julio María Sanguinetti They supported this idea. However, Vamos Uruguay, headed by Viera, suggested postponing the event until January or February, arguing that the calendar was too tight.
Schipani’s proposal, designed to follow the coherence of the party’s Organic Charter, clashes with the prudence of Vamos Uruguay, who fear that there will not be enough time for the necessary electoral preparations.
Intense red dialogues on the renewal of party leaders in 2024
To avoid a rushed vote, Sanguinetti requested a 48-hour interim period. This interval allowed us to plan a new meeting on Friday, in another virtual session where we will seek to agree on a definitive date to select the new CEN. Unir Para Crecer seeks to enlist conventional signatures, hoping to force a convention that decides the elections.
Schipani emphasizes that “The CEN must reflect the wishes expressed at the polls in 2023”. He assures that it is a matter of “internal democracy.” However, Conrado Rodríguez from Vamos Uruguay warns about the risks of rushing the process, underlining the importance of following clear electoral regulations. This forces us to rethink the arguments before any final decision.
Carolina Ache, former vice chancellor and critic of her own partyjoined the Vamos Uruguay chorus asking for more time to prepare, although he continues to support the Bordaberry group, as demonstrated in the last election. Last Wednesday, the 15 legislators elected by Vamos Uruguay held their first strategic meeting.
The challenges do not end with the renewal of authorities. The Colorado Party must orchestrate alliances in the coalition, mainly before the departmental elections. The need to coordinate efforts with other parties will be crucial, given that different slogans are contemplated, such as in Montevideo or Canelones.
Schipani highlights that, given Orsi’s call to coordinate with the parties, it is vital that the Colorado Party arrives with renewed authorities. The strategy involves responding to the will of the electorate without delay. Rodríguez, on the other hand, suggests that the party can function smoothly under the leadership of the current committee until a new body is elected.
