MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Delgado chosen to chair Uruguay's National Party

Delgado was booed by many who blamed him for the electoral defeat to Orsi

Former presidential candidate Álvaro Delgado was elected chairman of Uruguay's National Party (PN) board of directors this weekend, narrowly defeating fellow Senator Javier García by 202 votes to 184 amid boos blaming him from the recent loss to President Yamandú Orsi. Luis Alberto Heber and Carlos Enciso received 45 and 33 votes, respectively.

Delgado pledged to unite the party, travel the country, listen, and lead an analysis of the defeat while defending past achievements against a “directionless” government. Former President Luis Lacalle Pou stressed the need for a thorough review of the electoral loss, led by those “at the forefront,” and defended the party’s tradition of open debate, urging it be done responsibly.

Delgado insisted that the PN, now the opposition, will need to defend their “solid achievements” against a “government without direction, without ideas, without leadership.”

“It's unfortunate that, as a party, we didn't understand that this is not the way forward. Once again, we made a bad decision!!!” wrote a Nationalist follower on social media. “I feel sorry. Poor National Party,” commented another.

“This man inspires no one. What is wrong with the convention delegates?” complained a third. “Delgado led us to defeat!!!” they kept arguing as Lacalle Pou encouraged those present to speak their minds at “every department.”

Delgado will now have to heal internal wounds, rebuild credibility with a disenchanted membership, and articulate an effective opposition. But “you can't build a fence with rotten posts,” a follower admitted on social media.