Uruguay opposition slams 'friendship' article in budget bill benefiting official

Uruguay's Chamber of Representatives is embroiled in a debate over Article 122 of the budget reconciliation bill, with the opposition alleging it was tailor-made to benefit a specific government official. The article, concerning the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is criticized by the National Party for allegedly creating a compensation benefit 'with name and surname' for Fabiana Goyeneche, a Foreign Ministry official who also serves in the Ministry of Economy and Finance. Opposition deputy Juan Martín Rodríguez stated that Goyeneche, while on commission at the Foreign Ministry, was not receiving certain benefits she had previously received at her home ministry. He claims an article was drafted to satisfy her request for this compensation, estimated at around 30,000 Uruguayan pesos monthly. The opposition contends that this article lacks the necessary majority for approval. Government officials, however, defended the provision. Virginia Scarppe, director of Technical Administrative Affairs at the Foreign Ministry, explained that the article was prompted by a petition from an official who, upon moving to the Foreign Ministry on commission, ceased receiving certain management commitments from her original ministry and would not receive them in her new role. Andrés Peláez, the General Secretary, added that the aim is to 'rebalance' benefits, ensuring that officials on commission who perform functions within the Foreign Ministry are eligible for such compensation, a benefit currently restricted to permanent staff.