MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

With 2009 in mind Uruguayan cabinet reshuffle expected

Economy Minister Astori will leave the cabinet

Uruguayan Socialist president Tabare Vazquez is preparing a reshuffle of the ministerial cabinet which will include half of the posts, including those with the greatest political and financial weight, according to the government newspaper La Republica.

Among those allegedly leaving the cabinet are Agriculture Minister Jose Mujica and leader of the senior partner of the ruling coalition and Finance Minister Danilo Astori, whose orthodox policies have turned him into the darling kid of the Uruguayan business and banking communities. Both are tipped to be presidential hopefuls or decisive in the naming of a consensus candidate for the coalition. Next March President Vazquez will begin the fourth of his five year term and outstanding names of the different groups which make the ruling coalition will want to return to grassroots politics in preparation for October 2009. Although at one moment it was believed that President Vazquez would attempt a constitutional reform so he could be re-elected (currently banned), he has repeatedly denied such an action. However political analysts in Uruguay believe that President Vazquez still has the charm and élan to keep the restless coalition together and could be the last (winning) chip if no consensus and strong candidate can be agreed among the rainbow of groupings extending from the Christian Democrats to Communists and former guerrillas. According to La Republica the changes are scheduled to take place in mid year. Deputy Agriculture Secretary Ernesto Agazzi would replace Mr Mujica and Central Bank president Walter Cancela would move into Astori's chair. Other ministers scheduled to leave their posts are Foreign Affairs, Housing and Environment, Defence, Industry and Energy and Education and Culture. The candidate for Foreign Affairs is the current ambassador in the United States, Carlos Gianelli, a professional diplomat and for Defence, the current president of Uruguay's oil company Ancap, Daniel Martinez. However political analysts agree that naming a candidate for 2009 won't be easy since the political organization of the ruling coalition gives a greater weight to radical militants who do not accept the orthodox policies of Astori or the pragmatic political approach of former guerrilla Mr. Mujica who has also become the most articulate lobbyist for the powerful Uruguayan farmers and landowners. Latest public opinion polls indicate that the ruling coalition, Frente Amplio, (under president Vazquez) still masters a leading 42% support followed by the main opposition party with 35%. In October 2004 the Frente Amplio won in the first round with 50,09% of the vote avoiding a run off.