“It is important that the Broad Front (FA), in addition to disputing intendencies and municipalities, consolidates a force that is the most national in Uruguay,” said Pereira, highlighting the relevance of strengthening the presence of the FA throughout the country. In addition, he said that the National Party spends “obscene”, in Maldonado “spends more money than the Broad Front throughout the country”.
The power of the votes
The Frente Amplio obtained a forceful support in the October and November 2024 elections, winning in twelve departments and achieving a difference of 100,000 votes compared to the sum of the opposition parties (National Party, Colorado Party, Open Cabildo and Independent Party), “This consolidates a block with a very important power that must be kept working, listening and being present, either in the government or in the opposition,” Pereira. According to the leading leader, this political tool will begin to develop immediately after the municipal elections, without delays.
However, Pereira acknowledged that the new government faces significant challenges, “because it finds a set of incredible problems,” he said, referring to a fiscal deficit greater than expected. He mentioned estimates that speak of a deficit of 280 million dollars in the State Insurance Bank (BSE), in addition to a figure not yet specified in the ANEP and an impact equivalent to 0.5% of GDP, according to the Ministry of Finance. “There are hundreds of millions of dollars that generate conditioning to future transactions, but it is not an excuse; the FA will comply with its program,” he said.
Priorities and Social Dialogue
Pereira stressed that the government already works in an action plan based on the 63 priorities published by the Cabinet, which include guaranteeing health, education and a better standard of living for Uruguayans. Among the first measures, the President summoned a social dialogue on Social Security, led by Hugo Bai through the Office of Planning and Budget (OPP), in coordination with several ministries. “There will be an important change in Uruguay, a relevant government for Uruguayans and Uruguayans,” he said.
Municipal elections: a key but not definitive challenge
Asked about the importance of gaining intentions inside, Pereira relativized her absolute weight: “It is important, but it is not life. Nothing is the final battle.” He recalled that, after conquering eight intentions in 2005, the Frente Amplio failed to keep them indefinitely. “More than winning intendances, it is about participating in the territories, having territorial life, municipal councilors and a sufficient representation for our political position to be present,” he explained. Although he admitted that everyone wants to win, the main objective is to improve the current representation, which described as “a leap in quality.”
The president of the Frente Amplio stressed that the party competes on equal terms in seven or eight departments, facing an opposition coalition – formal or informal – that complicates the stage with respect to 2005, when the dispute was mainly against the National Party or the Colorado Party separately. “We had never seen a republican coalition like this,” he said, referring to the union of opposition forces in places like Salto.
Opposition and political dialogue
On the performance of the opposition, Pereira commented that he perceives it “a little hostile”, although he clarified that this is not novelty, since they were also during his period in the government. However, he valued gestures such as the invitation of the Colorado Party to former presidents and relatives of deceased leaders, to meet 40 years of democracy, interpreting it as a sign that “it is necessary to speak in politics.” “We can pole publicly, but that should not prevent proactive dialogues that improve the quality of life of Uruguayans,” he said, advocating agreements on fundamental issues such as Social Security.
Interior and economic challenges
Pereira emphasized the need to enhance the interior of the country, announcing the creation of the Institute of Cities to plan municipal policies throughout the government period, not only at electoral moments. “We have to think what we will do in Colonia, Salto, Montevideo or Durazno during the five years,” he said, highlighting the participation of former governors, urban planners and professionals in this project.
The leader described as “obscene” the expense that the National Party in Maldonado is doing in advertising “will spend more advertising in Maldonado than everything that the Broad Front spends throughout the country,” he said.
Finally, he addressed concerns such as the closure of industries such as Calcar and the situation of Paycueros, recognizing that industrial work has been showing negative signs for years. “It is not a new problem, but our government must seek ingenious alternatives to generate employment and offer incentives to the industry,” he said, admitting the difficulty of competing with countries that offer precarious working conditions. “Uruguay pays the best minimum wages in Latin America, but many people earn less than 25,000 pesos, and with that you cannot live,” he reflected, underlining the commitment to improve these conditions.
