Uruguay 2016: Mayorίas parlamentarias en jaque y desafίos de revisiόn para sostener el modelo

This article analyzes the political, economic, and social events that occurred in Uruguay in 2016. This was a key year in Uruguayan politics given that a series of political and economic challenges put the ruling Frente Amplio (FA) under real strain, perhaps for the first time since it came to office. First, the Frente Amplio lost its parliamentary majority in the Chamber of Deputies, which created a completely new scenario for the government. Second, the fiscal deficit reached 4% of GDP in December 2016: the largest deficit in more than two decades. This poses a challenge to both the government and its leftist agenda. Third, public approval of President Vaìzquez has declined dramatically, leading to a situation in which more Uruguayans disapprove of their President than support him—something that has not happened since 2005. Finally, the accusations that led Vice-President Sendic to resign increased political tensions within the ruling coalition. This constellation of factors suggests that the extended honeymoon the Frente Amplio had enjoyed is now over.