The president of the Broad Front, Ferdinand Pereiratraveled to Rocha to discuss the 135 articles of the Law of Urgent Consideration (LUC) with the mayor and coordinator of the campaign for the No, Alejo Umpierrezbut the nationalist did not participate.
Pereira criticized that “they decided not to debate” because “not only has this debate been closed”, in reference to exchanges that did not prosper in Montevideo.
The front-runner also decided to appear this Friday night, after an organization that took three months. “My solidarity with the journalists. I am sorry that this is the occasion, but I was not willing – after I gave the word – to stop doing it because the other party did not come. The other party will have to answer to society”Pereira slipped over Umpiérrez.
The Frente Amplio leader went up to the stage of the Theater May 25 and he stationed himself next to one of the lecterns on which the cameras were focused. The minutes for the oratory were counted even without the presence of the second speaker.
In the first three minutes, Pereira greeted “those who are watching the debate that could not be.” And he pointed out: “I regret that this decision was made” by Umpiérrez, who “was at the head of the Chamber of Deputies when the law was discussed.”
He then told the organization that he would like to start talking about the economy as the first topic of the night, where he also spoke about fuels. Then it was time to talk about workers rights, among other topics. Pereira showed graphs and also received questions from the moderator.
Before welcoming Pereira, the journalist and producer who acted as moderator said: “Welcome and enjoy what would have been, one of what we believed, of the best debates of the year regarding this topic (the LUC)”.
The instance was broadcast through Rocha’s media, and live, through YouTube. There were also advertising sessions, with local businesses who supported the activity.
On the other hand, just over twenty people – with masks and respecting physical distancing due to the covid-19 pandemic – was the face-to-face public which Pereira addressed. It was during little more than an hour.
The coordinator of the Yes to the repeal, anticipating the absence that would occur on the part of Umpiérrez, launched a plaque informing about the position that the Rochense mayor had taken. “There will be no debate because the coordinator of the No campaign, Alejo Umpiérrez, declined,” she explained. And she added: “Fernando is in Rocha fulfilling his commitment to the newspaper El Este and Acuario FM.”
In addition, from the Broad Front account on Twitter, it was written: “The truth is making its way. We came willing to exchange ideas and it hurts us for Uruguayan society that the coordinator of the No campaign has canceled his presence,” he claimed.
Beforehand, Umpiérrez had communicated that he would not attend. He had set as a condition that the president of the Broad Front debate with the Minister of Labor, Pablo Mieres, an exchange that did not prosper. “I never chose who to debate with nor did I say who I didn’t debate with, but I don’t debate with those who discriminate”said the mayor this Friday, in statements to universal radius.
The next debate by the same organizers in Rocha It was already announced: it will be the March 21st between the former mayors Sergio Botana (National Party) and Aníbal Pereyra (Broad Front). Both confirmed their willingness to attend.
