Uruguay’s Parliament resumes with Broad Front Majority

Uruguay’s Parliament begins its 48th session Sunday, with the party of President-elect Tabare Vazquez filling a majority of the seats.

In Uruguay’s general elections last year, the Broad Front (FA)  party won both the majority of Parliament and the presidency. Vazquez will begin his term March 1.

The South American country’s October elections resulted in 50 deputies and 15 senators from the FA. Outgoing President Jose “Pepe” Mujica was among the FA members elected to the nation’s legislature.

However, the initial integration of Parliament will receive some changes in coming days. Several legislators have been appointed to Vazquez’s new cabinet.

For example, elected Senator Eduardo Bonimi will transition into the minister of the interior position. His place will be taken by an alternate.

The same will happen with current Vice President Danilo Astori, who was elected senator and will assume the responsibility as minister of economy.

Vice President-elect Raul Sendic will chair the Senate and FA leader Alejandro Sanchez will head the House of Representatives.

The FA took power in 2005 when Vazquez was elected to his first presidential term, while Mujica kept the party running the country after he was elected president in 2009. Under Uruguayan law presidents are forbidden to serve consecutive terms.

Mujica’s legacy includes a wide range of achievements in the country’s economy, health care, education, culture, among other areas.