MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Novick records the People's Party: “Today is a historic day”

Businessman Edgardo Novick launches new political party with 2019 elections in sight

Uruguayan Businessman Edgardo Novick Monday registered this new political grouping “Party of the people” before the Electoral Court in Montevideo to run in the national elections of 2019.

 Novick labeled Monday as an “historic” day, but preferred not to elaborate on the proposals that will mark the agenda of the new party. “Ideologies divide us,” Novick said after leaving the Electoral Court.

Novick said that 7,500 signatures were collected “in a day and a half” and that people “from all over the country” came to Montevideo to get and sign the ballots that were presented on Monday at the Electoral Court. “That is so moving to us,” he said.

Upon leaving the court, Novick addressed his followers and said that his party will be one “of open arms” where respect for each one's colors is to be expected. ”Frenteamplistas (broad-fronters), whites and reds let's put on the shirt and fight to make this country better,“ he said.

”We always have to think about what's best for Uruguay. It's not about being within the opposition, it's about thinking about people,” he said as he walked through the Old City to register his party.

Novick had competed for the Concertación Party in the last municipal elections in Montevideo, where he won 210,000 votes. The leaders of the Colorado and National parties - who created the Concertación - warned him that he could not use this tool at the national level.

From the municipal elections, the entrepreneur began to cross the country and maintained political contacts with leaders of all walks, while grabbed seats in parliament for Senator Daniel Bianchi (elected by the Colomites) and Guillermo Facello (who was one of the first to leave Vamos Uruguay in Montevideo) and Daniel Peña (elected in Canelones by National Alliance ). In addition, there are town legislators in Montevideo chosen into office through the Concertación.

“I never thought that life would give me this opportunity,” Novick said excitedly in the video footage promoting the registration of the new party. “You and your people asked for it, the country needs it.” The name of the party was chosen to highlight the origin of the political movement. “Everything arises from the people, from below. That is why it was decided to use that name,” party sources said.

Novick, 59 is married, has 4 children and 4 grandchildren of certain notoriety: Economist Bernardo Novick, actress Lucía Victoria and the football players of the Club Atlético Peñarol, Marcel and Hernán Novick.