MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Uruguay's ruling coalition candidates agree on rules

Astori-Mujica or Mujica-Astori in a "a permanent open line"

Uruguayan presidential pre candidates from the ruling coalition agreed Monday on the need for a consensus ticket for next year's election, but “if necessary” will hold primaries early next year.

Former Economy minister Danilo Astori and Senator Jose Mujica, the most voted leader of the most voted group in the coalition met Monday in the Uruguayan parliament to talk about the coming electoral process well aware that they both lead comfortably in public opinion polls. Although no candidacies have been made official, Mujica and Astori agreed that Monday's meeting was "most useful" and "expressed total coincidence and confidence", former Economy minister told Parliament reporters. "I'm sure that from a programmatic point of view an agreement is possible, even if we have to hold primaries. I think we can agree on fundamentals", said Astori who left the ministry on September 17 to return to the Senate and party politics. "It's not a contradiction to agree on fundamentals and hold primaries", he added, but even with no agreement "we'll hold primaries, fair and clean, no surprises, and in the best pal spirit and mutual respect", he pointed out. The two leaders agreed to keep talking, "a permanent open line" to reach a programmatic agreement, and particularly regarding how the ticket will be organized: Mujica-Astori or Astori-Mujica. Actually Uruguayan president Tabare Vazquez all along has sustained the Astori-Mujica ticket going out of the way to praise the achievements of the hopeful former Economy minister. But Mr. Mujica all along, denied a specific interest in leading the ticket, but has insisted that a programmatic agreement was essential reminding everybody that "he's more charming to public opinion and the votes belong to me". The crux of the matter is economic policy, which under Mr. Astori has been most orthodox, contrary to the aspirations of the left leaning ruling coalition which has a significant component of Socialists, Communists and former guerrillas, Tupamaros, with one of its historic leaders Mr. Mujica, who has left radicalism for pragmatism, but still preaches the old tunes to collect votes. In an open and fair primary Mr. Mujica, is considered the most likely winner. However a programmatic commitment from Mr. Astori would take the weight of responsibility from Mr. Mujica and ensure the cohesion and continued support of his group. Mr. Astori, a former dean of Uruguay's government funded University School of Economics has a communist background and is rather dull, non charismatic and even smiling is hard coming. However this coming weekend a national Plenary of the ruling Broad Front has been scheduled and next December the national Congress will be elected with delegates from all grass root organizations. If no agreement is reached by December, then there will be time until June for a definition since the following month by law, Uruguayan political parties must hold primaries or agree on a candidate. General elections, Executive and Legislative are scheduled for the last Sunday of October 2009. Public opinion polls, in spite of the strong performance of the Uruguayan economy, have been showing the Broad Front still ahead, but the opposition since the beginning of 2008 is consolidating a larger vote intention for the first time since October 2004, when the ruling coalition won the previous election. In this scenario there would be a run off at the end of November 2009. Opinion polls also show Mr. Mujica several points ahead of Mr. Astori both inside and outside the ruling party. Which is also news since it was believed that his radical roots and non statesman presence would never be accepted by a majority of the Uruguayan electorate. Once again, Mr. Mujica is the king maker.