Uruguayan senator pushes for wealth tax, criticizes government's direction

Senator Gustavo González of Uruguay's Socialist Party is advocating for a 1% wealth tax on the wealthiest 1% of the population, a proposal initially put forth by the Pit-Cnt union confederation to combat child poverty. González insists that this tax is crucial for funding robust public services, stating, "You can't fulfill [the government program] without money. I want a robust state; I'm a die-hard fan of the state, of hospitals, and of public schools."

González directly challenged the stance of Economy Minister Gabriel Oddone and President Yamandú Orsi, who have dismissed the tax proposal, citing concerns about its impact on the business climate and investment. "Oddone is not the owner of the Frente Amplio, nor is Gustavo González," the senator declared in a streaming interview. He emphasized that the decision rests with the Frente Amplio's highest body, the party congress, where such matters are debated. While acknowledging Oddone as an "intelligent" and respected figure, González maintained his position.

The senator also voiced strong criticism regarding the current government's performance, summarizing recent public opinion polls as "We're doing badly, it's obvious." He believes the upcoming Frente Amplio congress is vital for a "deep evaluation" to change the current trajectory, rating the government's performance at around 55-60 out of 100. González attributed the struggles not to communication issues but to "political errors."

He pointed to perceived inconsistencies in government policy, such as a proposal to allow investment in public companies, which he feels was undermined by subsequent decisions allowing pension funds (AFAP) to invest abroad. González argued that such mixed signals make it difficult for the public to understand the government's direction. He also referenced a proposal by Secretary of the Presidency Alejandro Sánchez for citizens to invest in national productive assets, which he believes has been sidelined.