The minister of Tourism, Tabare Viera, confirmed that he will be a pre-candidate for the presidency of Uruguay by the sector Batllistas of the Colorado Party, but he will maintain his current position until the end of the summer season.
Finally and as expected, Minister Viera confirmed that he will compete in the colored internal ahead of next year’s elections. “A group of Batllista leaders were talking to me about the possibility of me accepting the pre-candidacy, Finally yesterday I confirmed that yes, it is a great honor for me,” he announced at a press conference.
The head of Tourism indicated that he feels “with desire, strength, experience, knowledge and with the necessary support to go to that competition” internal to the Colorados, which also includes the president of the Codicen, Robert Silva —which delayed his departure from the institute—; the president of Antel, Gabriel Gurméndez —who must also step aside from his duties at the end of this week—; the director of Telecommunications, Guzmán Acosta y Lara; and the deputy Gustavo Zubia.
“Each one has their characteristics, they are all very good people and good reds and after June we will have a unique candidate,” said Viera, who believes that the intern will be “intense” and “interesting.”
According to the leader, his candidacy already has “an important infrastructure in all departments” that will support it, and that he is already “working on forming the technical teams to handle the proposal.”
Asked about the need to resign as minister to focus on his candidacy, Viera stated that “the election campaign is next year” and expressed that he will continue in Tourism at least until the end of the high summer season, in March.
The ministers and government officials who will step aside for the campaign
A few days before the general elections of Uruguay, The government is already beginning to name ministers and officials who will leave their positions in the coming weeks or months to dedicate themselves to the campaign. For the moment, the Colorado Party It is the one that will have to replace the most figures for the last stretch of management.
One of the ministers who will leave his position is the head of National Defense Javier García. The reference of the List 40 of the National Party —from the Wilsonist current— has already announced that in the first months of 2024 he will leave the portfolio he currently directs to dedicate himself to the campaign. Although he will not completely separate himself from government management, since he will return to his seat in the Senate, for which he was elected in 2019.
For his part, it is still unknown what the secretary of the Presidency, Álvaro Delgado. The official is emerging as the best-positioned candidate in the eventual nationalist race; Therefore, if his participation in the electoral competition is confirmed, it is very likely that he will not be able to finish the president’s term. Luis Lacalle Pou in his position.
In addition to the Minister of Tourism, Tabaré Viera, other Colorados who will leave their current functions are Robert Silva, the president of Central Board of Directors (Codicen) of the National Administration of Public Education (ANEP) —by the sector Citizens— and Gabriel Gurmendez, President of Antel -by List 15 (Batllismo Group); who must leave their positions tomorrow, as established by the constitutional deadline.
Other confirmed and potential candidates of the Colorado Party are Pedro Bordaberry; the departmental exedil Montevideo, Andrés Ojeda; deputy Gustavo Zubia and the director of Telecommunications of the Ministry of Industry, Energy and Mining (MIEM), Guzmán Acosta y Lara.
Source: Ambito
