MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Orsi's diplomatic picks stir Montevideo's Senate

Orsi of the Broad Front chose high-profile members of the previous opposition government for diplomatic posts, including former VP Argimón

The Uruguayan Government of President Yamandú Orsi chose former Deputy Foreign Minister Carolina Ache as ambassador to Portugal and former Vice-President Beatriz Argimón as ambassador to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). These appointments, requiring Senate approval, faced strong opposition from the opposition National Party (PN) and Colorado Party (PC).

Critics, including Senators Pedro Bordaberry, Graciela Bianchi, and Sebastián Da Silva, argued that appointing political figures over career diplomats undermines the professionalization of the Foreign Service.

Bordaberry emphasized his consistent stance against political ambassadors since 2015, particularly for non-priority destinations. Bianchi and Da Silva questioned Ache’s suitability, citing her past performance and lack of diplomatic credentials, and expressed disapproval of Argimón’s decision to accept the UNESCO role, with Bianchi suggesting it reflects poorly on the National Party’s integrity. The opposition’s criticism centers on the appointments prioritizing political favors over merit.

After Foreign Minister Mario Lubetkin confirmed Orsi's choices, Montevideo's political circles reacted, with PN and PC Upper House members pledging not to consent to either appointment.

“I have not changed my mind, and less in non-priority destinations; it is a profound mistake that the Executive Branch is making by returning to those times of political ambassadors instead of professionals; it affects the Foreign Service and the professionalization of the same,” the Colorado Bordaberry insisted on X.

“Ache is not a career civil servant, and, from the electoral point of view, she did not have more than a thousand votes. The government has to explain to its voters and others why it is making this decision,” Colorado Congressman Gabriel Gurméndez stressed.

National Party Senator Da Silva said that Ache does not meet the conditions established in the foreign service statute, in addition to a poor performance during her tenure at the Foreign Ministry.

Senator Graciela Bianchi assured that Ache “greatly harmed” the former coalition government, “especially the Colorado Party.” As for Argimón, Bianchi noted that “truth is the daughter of time” and “the National Party has many problems to solve,” but, with this news, “it has one less.”

“I am in the National Party because of figures such as Leandro Gómez, Aparicio Saravia, Manuel Oribe, Luis Lacalle Pou, Luis Lacalle Herrera; those are the people who moved me to leave the Frente Amplio, not Beatriz Argimón,” she underlined.