Juan Sartori, Uruguayan pre-candidate: "Mercosur is a very good idea that did not work for almost everyone"

(Sartori about his request)

The businessman and billionaire Juan Sartori submitted his candidacy to the National Party of Uruguay in December, becoming the last to join the race to represent one of the world's oldest political forces in the October presidential elections.

The Uruguayan and Latin American press quickly called him "outsider"but Sartori, 38, chose to join the traditional national party, founded in 1836, to launch his career.

(Sartori inside the National Party and its "outsider" status)

"What has changed is that technologies have allowed structures and traditions to weigh less," Sartori said in a dialogue with Infobae.

In the internal force of this force, which will take place on June 30, coincidentally with those of the other parties, now faces five other candidates, among which the favorite Luis Lacalle Pou (51 to 59% of the voting intentions, according to the latest polls) and Senators Jorge Larrañaga and Verónica Alonso stand out.

But Sartori is confident of being able to reverse this trend and gain access to the presidential elections scheduled for 27 October. "Historically, in our party, never the favorite of the ballot box five months after the election has ended up winning, so the election is open," he said.

(Sartori on the crisis in Venezuela and the future of Mercosur)

"My commitment is to have a viable movement to win these inmates and then win the general. This is not an application to make me see, to position myself for another time or worse, as many do in politics, to negotiate to accommodate a charge.", expanded.

The candidate felt that Uruguayans "did not see any opportunities" in their country and were increasingly considering migrating abroad because of the cost of living. "We do not generate a context in which people can develop"he said.

In this context, Sartori partially blamed Frente Amplio, who has been running the country for 15 years: "It has generated a very large state that is now stifling employers and producers, but also workers, with more and more taxes and high taxes. This generates a demotivation among all citizens of the country ".

Beyond the internal still unresolved, according to a recent survey of the Radar group cited by Highlighted, the Frente Amplio is leading the polls with 37%, followed by the national party with 28%, although the campaign has just begun.

On the crisis in Venezuela

"I am convinced that Venezuela it's become a dictatorship, that Maduro is not legitimate and that people are going through a very difficult time. We see it with immigration in our region, Sartori examined the political and social crisis affecting the country of South America and which has become more complex since the beginning of the year. The opposition Juan Guaidó was proclaimed interim president by the National Assembly, in defiance of the government of Nicolás Maduro.

In this sense the pre-candidate called for the return of a "true democracy" and the holding of free elections "without falling into the interference".

"Recognizing Juan Guaidó is a way of legitimizing an opposition that seeks to return to democracy and freedom. But beyond recognition, which is important, we must also demand new elections, " he added.

The future of Mercosur, the common market bringing together Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay, has been defeated in recent months due to criticism by the new Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro and his friends during the 2018 campaign.

"Mercosur is a very good idea that has not worked for almost everyone. Inter-regional trade is very important, but Uruguay should be free to sign trade agreements with other countries, "said Sartori, who has been living abroad for several years.

Although consulted by China's growing presence throughout Latin America and more particularly in Uruguay, the candidate indicated that "he has become from nowhere one of the major trading partners of l & # 39; Uruguay. " "This is our biggest market and we need to deepen it, but also diversify," he added.