Presidents protect their image

By Pittaluga Abogados

On 2008, then Uruguayan President Tabaré Vázquez vetoed a law that decriminalized abortion after the Senate had approved it. Vázquez, an oncologist, always admitted publicly his position against abortion although it differed from that one of the Frente Amplio, the left-wing party to which he belongs and that governs Uruguay since 2005.

Last year, with Vázquez presidency over, the Senate approved Law N°18.987 that decriminalizes abortion. However, opposite political parties, human organizations and advocacy groups collected signatures for a referendum petition that will be held on June 23. Their aim is to obtain enough votes (25% from the electoral roll) to enable a future referendum in which the electorate will be asked to either accept or reject the law.

While that possibility harmonizes with Vázquez position, the former President forbid the use of his image in media publicity campaigns: “In exercise of rights protected by our legal system, Dr. Vázquez doesn´t allow the use of his image on campaigns requesting for a referendum petition against Law N° 18.987 of October 22, 2012. Montevideo, June 3, 2013”.

A similar measure was taken on April by current President José Mujica, who disavowed the use of his image on by Efraín Alegre, a candidate on the Paraguayan Presidential elections that took place on that month. Mujica appeared smiling next to Alegre on a publicity campaign poster that said: “All Latin American hope united. Efraín for President”.

"President Mujica has not authorized the use of his image and/or name for such purposes. Uruguay has neither the intention nor the power to intervene in any way in the internal debate of a brother country", expressed the press release.