The Broad Front bench in Montevideo decided on Tuesday that it will not vote for the investigative commission proposed by the opposition. “We understand that for a matter of opportunity it is not necessary to install the commission”explained to The Observer the communist mayor Miguel Velázquez, delegated by the ruling party to face the pre-investigation stage.
“There is an administrative investigation of which we must wait for the result and based on what it determines, we will analyze again in the Board if an investigator is necessary. We also believe that the opposition has several mechanisms on the table, such as calls to the courtroom or requests for reports,” she argued.
The white mayor Javier Barrios Bove accused: “It’s a shame. Not investigating means hiding, due to all the conclusions that the investigator could lead to. It’s a bad sign that the Broad Front is giving to the system.”
Six boxes with backpacks and t-shirts donated by the Municipality of Montevideo (IM) to the Broad Front –in the face of a collection run for the Yes campaign– sparked controversy and culminated in the resignation of the head of the Sports Secretariat, Marcelo Signorelli. Barrios Bove’s request aims to “clarify the facts surrounding the donation”, to “establish political responsibility for what happened”, “recommend administrative sanctions and establish whether there were facts that due to their criminal appearance merit a criminal complaint.”
The opponent demanded from the IM a copy of the letter of resignation of Marcelo Signorelli – head of the Secretariat of Physical Education, Sports and Recreation – and the file of the purchase process for the acquisition of backpacks and t-shirts. In turn, he called five witnesses to answer questions: Signorelli, Cosse, Flavia García –in charge of Finance for the Broad Front and responsible for receiving the materials– and the new president of the political force, Fernando Pereira.
The last one is about a name that until now has not come up in the controversy: the journalist Gabriel Romano, who joined the commune last year as an advisor to the Information and Communication Division. Before the departure of the director of that division, Ana De Rogatis – who went on to directly advise the mayor – Romano was transferred to the Sports Secretariat.
as he knew The Observer, Since the beginning of February, he has been appointed Coordinator of Events within that area, which implies meeting with the organizers and coordinating the logistics –from street closures to different supports–.
