The Presidential Center in Uruguay 2005-2015

Abstract

Surveying unexplored territory, this article studies the evolution of the Presidency in Uruguay, with a focus on its development since the debut of the left-wing Frente Amplio in the national government. Thereby, the work examines the institutional changes in the Secretary of the Presidency and the Budget and Planning Office, analyzing the models of political centralization and coordination, which tend to reinforce the powers of the chief of the Executive. It observes the differences between the first term in office of Tabaré Vázquez (2005-2010) and José Mujica’s (2010-2015), their leadership styles, their strategy and the management of the ministers’ cabinet. These processes are mainly explained by the relationship of each president with the government party and its parliamentarian representatives.