Uruguay: Manini Ríos decries 'hypocritical' coalition criticism over budget vote deal

Guido Manini Ríos, the leader of Uruguay's Cabildo Abierto party, has strongly criticized the National, Colorado, and Independent parties, members of the broader Republican Coalition, for what he termed "reactions loaded with hypocrisy and cynicism."

The controversy stems from Cabildo Abierto's decision to guarantee its votes for the approval of the Public Accounts Rendition after reaching agreements with President Yamandú Orsi to modify the project. Manini Ríos emphasized that his party is not a member of the Republican Coalition and acted precisely as announced: it would analyze the government's proposal, suggest necessary improvements, and vote in favor if those suggestions were positively received.

Manini Ríos contrasted his party's transparent approach with that of the coalition parties. He noted that while coalition members announced they would not vote for the project in general but might approve certain articles, Cabildo Abierto engaged directly with the government. He stated that President Orsi showed "understanding" and "flexibility," accepting some of Cabildo Abierto's proposals entirely and others partially, which is typical in any negotiation.

The Cabildo Abierto leader dismissed the coalition's criticism as "disrespectful" to a party acting with autonomy. He specifically addressed comments from Colorado deputy Felipe Schipani, whom he called a "minor legislator," and former vice-presidential candidate Lorena Quintana, who left the party. Schipani had described Cabildo Abierto as a "Trojan horse" in Parliament, a comparison Manini Ríos rejected by stating his party operates externally to the coalition and owes no obedience to it.

Responding to Quintana's accusation of "betrayal to its own bases," Manini Ríos retorted that those who accuse his party of betrayal might be the ones betraying the people by potentially denying them benefits like the Single Allocation.

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Gracia o sorpresa me causa la actitud de algunos actores políticos de la coalición. Cabildo Abierto es un partido diferente, no integramos la coalición.