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Frente Amplio leader sees 'reversible' anger despite low polls
🇺🇾 Uruguay /Elections & Politics

Frente Amplio leader sees 'reversible' anger despite low polls

From El País · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Context piece
  • Frente Amplio party leader Fernando Pereira acknowledges significant internal discontent and unfavorable poll numbers but believes the situation is reversible.
  • Pereira attributes the discontent partly to a failure in political management and communication, emphasizing the need to explain the government's adherence to its program, such as tax increases on the wealthy.
  • He draws a parallel to past party struggles, citing the 1995 situation with Mariano Arana, to argue that current low support can be overcome through consistent government actions and maintaining close ties with the party's base.

Fernando Pereira, the leader of Uruguay's Frente Amplio coalition, has acknowledged a palpable "unmistakable anger" among party members and unfavorable poll results. However, he maintains that the situation is "reversible," even referencing former President Luis Lacalle Pou to support his argument that public opinion can shift.

There is an unmistakable anger, but progress is visible and it is reversible.

— Fernando PereiraAcknowledging internal discontent and poll numbers.

Pereira pointed to a perceived lack of "political management" within the government, explaining that a party's primary obligation is to communicate with its voters and the nation. He stressed the importance of upholding the constitution and the party's program, which he stated the government is fulfilling. For example, he noted that taxing the wealthy by US$600 million, as per the program, was not effectively communicated.

A party has a primary obligation to speak to those who voted for you based on your program.

— Fernando PereiraExplaining the need for political communication.

He suggested that societal expectations in Uruguay might exceed the Frente Amplio's program, making clear communication crucial. Pereira emphasized the need for "closeness" and "capillarity" in the party's political approach, extending beyond formal listening initiatives to include direct engagement like door-to-door outreach and distributing materials. He recalled the party's situation in 1995, when Mariano Arana faced 20% support but ultimately reached 70%, illustrating that a party's standing can change significantly over a term.

The program was not made by the Holy Spirit, it was made by the Frente Amplio.

— Fernando PereiraEmphasizing the government's adherence to the party's platform.

Pereira believes that accumulated government actions will demonstrate the program's commitment to greater tax justice, improved conditions for the poor, quality of life for the middle class, and addressing the needs of youth, women, and Afro-descendants. He noted numerous meetings with party members across the country, observing a common sentiment that societies tend to become fearful.

It is possible that the expectation of Uruguayan society is even greater than the Frente Amplio's program.

— Fernando PereiraAddressing potential disconnect between public expectations and party platform.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by El País in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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