Uruguay, the Mujica era ends after 15 years: the center-right wins

The era of ends after 15 years Pepe Mujica. The progressive party of the very popular former president of Uruguay, the Frente Amplio, was still the most voted in the last political elections in the South American country, but this was not enough to overcome the centre-right coalition, led by Luis Lacalle Pou and his Partido Nacional. The defeat of Daniel Martinez, former mayor of Montevideo and still prime minister in the government of Tabaré Vázquez, Mujica's predecessor, was actually in the air and indeed came only narrowly: the centre-right obtained 48,7%, against the 47,51% of socialists of which Mujica has been the reference figure for years, despite having only held the office of president for one term, from 2010 to 2015.

Mujica's story is known to many and has fascinated the world, especially the European lefts who have tried to take inspiration from him: as a boy, in the 60s, joined the rebel organization of the Tupamaros, participating in the revolt of peasants and natives, which however was harshly repressed after the military coup of 1973. Mujica was imprisoned and remained in prison for 12 years: he was only released in 1985, when democracy was re-established in the country. He then returned to politics, becoming a senator for the first time in 2000 and agriculture minister in 2005, with the Vazquez government. In 2010 he became president by clearly defeating Luis Alberto Lacalle, Uruguayan president from 1990 to 1995 and father of the newly elected Lacalle Pou.

Mujica has left his mark above all for his sobriety: he has always renounced the privileges of president, contenting himself with a salary equal to the equivalent of 800 euros a month and an absolutely spartan life. He has always kept in mind, in his speeches about him, the fundamental value of time: “Either you are happy with little, or you go nowhere. We have created a consumerist society, based on economic growth: if the economy doesn't grow, it's a tragedy. For this we have invented a mountain of superfluous consumption. But what we waste is our time: when we buy something, we don't buy it with money, but with our time”. However, his was it also marked the economic renaissance of a small country of just over 3 million inhabitants.

In addition to the better known laws on the regulation of the marijuana market and gay marriages, for which Uruguay is among the most advanced countries in South America (and in the world), few also know the economic results of the 15 years in power of Wide Front. In the decade between 1994 and 2004, Uruguay grew on average each year by only 0,4%, outperforming only Zimbabwe, Congo and Burundi; from 2005 to 2015 the average annual growth was instead 5,4%, a higher figure - inevitably - than that of any European country, but also of Brazil, for example. Not only that: Uruguay has been elected in recent years among the 25 greenest countries in the world by the Global Green Economy Index, and in first place, according to Yale University, for air quality and forestation. The small country nestled between Argentina and Brazil produces food for 10 times its population.

Thirty million people can therefore be fed by the Uruguayan agri-food system, which for years has boasted 100% traceability for citrus fruits, honey, vineyards, poultry and beef. The country has also thought about future generations: it was the first in the world to implement Plan Ceibal, started in 2007 and based on the “One Laptop per Child” project. Thanks to this program, all primary school children (compulsory and public for all) have received a laptop from their institution. This has meant that according to the UN Uruguay has the highest literacy index in South America (99,3%, equal to the Italian one). The poverty index, which in neighboring Argentina has exploded to 35%, is at very low levels and even life expectancy has now exceeded that of the Rio Plateau neighbours.

Despite this list of indisputable successes and a charismatic figure like Mujica (who however retired from political life a few years ago), the Uruguayan people have felt the need to change. However, the choice was not and will not be traumatic: Lacalle Pou is a 46-year-old lawyer of moderate ideas and despite being close to the Church (the eligible Minister of Social Development is a member of Opus Dei) he has already hinted that it will not touch the virtuous architecture of civil rights that the whole world envies his country. Perhaps only abortion will be called into question, which, moreover, is already not practiced in many areas of Uruguay, due to the numerous objections of conscience: there is in fact fear about the assignment of the Ministry of Health, which could go to far-right Cabildo Abierto party, back from a surprising 11% in the elections.

There will certainly be news on the economic and security front. Growth in recent years has objectively slowed down a lot: in fact Uruguay, like many other South American countries, is in stagnation, and deficits and unemployment have increased. For this Lacalle Pou he has in mind a tax reform to facilitate entrepreneurship, in particular the agricultural one which is the strong point of the entire system. Unfortunately, crime has also increased: although in Montevideo and its surroundings we are not breathing the very heavy air of other neighboring countries (Chile, Bolivia, Argentina itself), the new government is determined to implement much more repressive measures against the crime. Even in South America, and not only in Europe, elections are increasingly based on security (and its perception).