MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Uruguay's former guerrilla leader, the king maker

Mujica: "The votes belong to me"

Uruguay's most voted and popular leader, former guerrilla and currently Senator Jose Mujica admitted he would be a presidential candidate if he counts with the support from other groups of the ruling coalition.

"It's not up to me; it also depends on the rest of our political force, which I don't know what they want. I always had a clear mind that if I was to get involved in this race it would not be with the support of my grouping, but rather with other groupings, if not it would be senseless", said Mujica in reference to the Communist Party, Socialist Party and the Vertiente Artiguista which make up a significant percentage of the Uruguayan ruling coalition Broad Front in office since March 2005. The fact Senator Mujica has admitted he would like to be the presidential candidate in October 2009 elections has jolted the Uruguayan political scenario since President Tabare Vazquez all along has openly said that the ideal ticket would be former Economy Minister Danilo Astori and Mujica for vice president. Senator Astori, a former Uruguayan School of Economics Dean recently abandoned his ministerial post to begin campaigning on the success of his economic achievement: three years running GDP growth averaging 8.5%, nurtured on windfall earnings from Uruguay's commodity exports but with a budget outlay rate which opposition economists argue is unsustainable in non favorable international conditions. But what is interesting is that Mujica, who also benefited as Agriculture minister from the boom, but returned to the Senate earlier, has been a most faithful member of the ruling coalition and President Vazquez?until a few months ago. He has traveled extensively inside Uruguay and overseas, has been filmed with the left wing leaders of South America whom his group's followers admire, and has helped uncover indirectly a few corruption scandals which have scrapped Astori, his close advisors or reputation. They refer to congressional and judicial probes into the Casinos and Gambling Office, Customs and lastly the country's flag air carrier which in association with a private group of doubtful reputation has almost grounded the airline. He has also called for "prudence" in spending and loan taking because hard times are around the corner, ?because of the world financial crisis. Furthermore for the first time Astori has admitted he could have to accommodate as vice-presidential hopeful, a situation that could be decided in the coming congress of the ruling coalition sometime next month. "I must try and have a chat with Astori, try to see what is most favorable for the Broad Front, but particularly for the country and the times ahead", Mujica was quoted by the Montevideo press. He admitted that both he and Astori have ample support but also a percentage of rejections, and the most ideal way out would be for the two to conform the 2009 ticket. And it was then that Mujica said "it would be preferable for me to head the ticket and Astori to team as vice-president", but this has to be decided by the ruling coalition plenary and congress (where Mujica has ample support of grass roots and most other groupings). Mujica said it had been "great" listening Astori say last week he was willing to occupy the post the ruling coalition decided on, including as vice-president of the former guerrilla leader. But Mujica also closed the door to any other names as alternatives because "it's between Astori and me" "Elections are made to be won. If you are going to fight them you must have the ticket which most votes will attract. That is the rule of the game and there are no short cuts", emphasized Mujica. Regarding recent opinion polls inside the ruling coalition voters which showed him clearly ahead of Astori, Mujica said he didn't live "off polls and don't have time to look at them, but when several coincide, that's showing something". When Astori left the Economy ministry a week ago the event became in some ways kind of launching pad for his presidential candidacy aspiration, again with repeated suggestions from President Vazquez that he was "the best candidate". But Mujica managed to neutralize the party. He arrived late and when everybody was asking where he was, all flashes and cameras turned on him. The two candidates embraced and had an improvised interview with the press. When asked about his presidential aspirations, Mujica simply replied "could be". But "I don't have a presidential presence, I don't like neckties, I'm flabby and old, perhaps Danilo is the man, he's the academic, he's done a wonderful job, he speaks nicely". Astori's rather dull and professor face replied with a big smile. However Mujica added, "but for the people I'm more charming and the votes belong to me". Uruguayan political analysts agree that even with the support of now "lame duck" president Vazquez, if the candidacy is finally voted in the ruling coalition congress, Astori's chances are most limited, and Mujica will be king or king maker. If Vazquez insists with Astori, he could split the coalition, and even imperil victory in October 2009. Although then, from his home the oncologist could again regain control of the coalition he successfully led to victory in October 2004.