Uruguay 2017: reactivación económica y nuevos conflictos políticos

Abstract

The year 2017 seemed a possible turning point for the economic, social and political model of the ruling party, Frente Amplio, which has governed Uruguay since 2005. The political and economic scenario was particularly sensitive for the government, both at the domestic and international levels. However, the year closed with unexpected economic growth, the improvement of some important social indicators, and the return of the parliamentary majorities that the Frente Amplio had lost in 2016. At the same time, new conflicts opened for the government, especially on the internal front. Among them, the process that led to the resignation of the Vice President of the Republic Raul Sendic, the negotiation processes for securing of an investment by the Finnish company UPM, the attempt to reform the “Caja Militar,” and the generation of agreements for the so-called “Ley de los Cincuentones.” For different reasons, these con icts produced tensions within the Executive branch of the government, which finally settled over the course of the year. As has happened on other occasions, the Frente Amplio’s internal politics were revealed as an especially relevant area for negotiation and decision-making related to the resolution of conflicts between the Executive and the governing party. DOI:  http://dx.doi.org/10.4067/s0718-090x2018000200379