The conflict arose from the decision of the country’s president, Luis Lacalle Pou, to divert US$30 million from the INC to a trust fund for housing for more than 200,000 people occupying land in precarious conditions.

Critics of this transfer of resources, including members of the coalition itself, pointed out that it was a ridiculous amount to face a social problem that requires, according to studies, at least US$ 1.2 billion.

Some senators of the ruling National Party (PN), Cabildo Abierto and the Colorado Party joined the observation of the opposition Frente Amplio that the intention was to ‘rob Peter to pay Paul’.

At least the PN legislators Sergio Botana, Carlos Cammy and Jorge Gandini, opposed the original proposal of the President, who summoned them to back down in their positions, and triggered a tense internal negotiation.

pgh/abo/acl/hr