How Luis Lacalle Pou’s ambitious plan to reactivate the Uruguayan economy after the pandemic

MONTEVIDEO. Uruguayan President Luis Lacalle Pou announced a road infrastructure works plan, reforms in the port of Montevideo, a new private wastewater treatment plant and the concession of five airports, to revive the economy, as well as a strengthening of social assistance plans in transfers monetary, food and subsidies for the unemployed, as well as a package of measures for small and medium-sized enterprises.

In his annual presentation to parliament, the Uruguayan president sent a conciliatory message to the opposition, saying that he was not going to “talk about legacies” from the previous government and that the channels of communication with parties and unions would be maintained.

“All of us here, with our differences, our nuances and our agendas, want the best for our country: the government has had a vocation of dialogue with the different parties, unions and chambers of commerce. Always with a premise that marked me in my personal and political life: firm with ideas and gentle with people. So let us all take care of our great country, for those who are there and for those who will come ”, declared Lacalle Pou at the end of his speech.

This Wednesday he will receive the management of the central trade union PIT-CNT, which is campaigning for a meeting of signatures to repeal the great reform law of Lacalle Pou and is preparing a series of mobilizations for the months to come, before the expiration of the agreements. private wages. and before a new budget body.

In recent years, Speakers have limited themselves to submitting their annual report to the Legislature in writing, but Lacalle Pou wanted to resume attendance at the Legislative Palace and he expounded for an hour before the 30 senators and 99 deputies.

“We are not here to talk about legacies, now is not the time” and “there is no more time for apologies, even if they may be valid,” the president said at the start of his speech. presentation.

The gist of his speech was to highlight what has been done in 2020, both to deal with the pandemic and to generate reforms that will bear fruit over the period.

He highlighted the achievement of budget targets and welcomed the sharp drop in crimes, alluding to the fact that the election campaign’s promise had been to improve public safety.

And towards the end came the announcements. He said that the government “is preparing to allocate more than US $ 540 million to mitigate the effects of the pandemic”, that they will extend the partial unemployment insurance until June “, which” will once again double the amount of family allowances in the equity plan “and will allocate new funds for” food baskets “, and for additional support for pots and picnic areas.

On medium and small businesses, he indicated that the executive power will present a bill for partial exemption from employer pension contributions, as well as the suspension of corporate income tax, and will continue to extend the plan. of secured credit, with an improvement in the assess.

Lacalle Pou announced that the State will provide more than $ 1,200 million in public investments in infrastructure and that the agreement with the European company which manages the container terminal at the port of Montevideo, results in an investment of $ 460 million. of dollars.

He also reported on the concession of five airports in the country, Rivera, Salto, Carmelo, Durazno and Cerro Largo, with an investment of nearly $ 65 million.

For investment in the road network, a new bond will be issued, specifically for the financing of major works.

In addition, he stated that through a private initiative A wastewater treatment plant plan will be carried out with an investment of US $ 200 million to capture water from the Río de la Plata.

The president stressed the financial stability, that Uruguay maintains the investment quality and that this year, the comprehensive reform plan for the pension system will be forwarded to Parliament, which is being worked out by an all-party expert committee.

The opposition, the Large Front, did not want to comment on the speech because it is preparing a conference for this Wednesday, with a strong critical tone to the government leadership. The ex-president José “Pepe” Mujica He said that the president’s positive effect is because he has a good publicist who handles communication: “This publicity man is by far the best minister in the government without portfolio; he is a wise man of noise, ”said Mujica, who also criticized the press on the grounds that it favors the government because it“ is domesticated ”.

Lacalle Pou, leader of the National Party, will hold political meetings with his partners in the ruling coalition of Colorado parties, Cabildo Abierto, Independiente and De la Gente, to adjust plans for this year.

The latest polls give President Lacalle Pou great approval, although in recent weeks there has been a drop in these levels. Consulting firm Cifra gives 64% approval, while Option Consultants gives 52% and Equipos Consultores 53%.

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