Legislative branch: bicameral General Assembly (Asamblea General)
Chamber of Senators (Camara de Senadores): elections last held 27
November 1994 (next to be held NA November 1999); results - Colorado
36%, Blanco 34 %, Encuentro Progresista 27%, New Sector 3%; seats -
(30 total) Colorado 11, Blanco 10, Encuentro Progresista 8, New
Sector 1
Chamber of Representatives (Camara de Representantes): elections
last held 27 November 1994 (next to be held NA November 1999);
results - Colorado 32%, Blanco 31%, Encuentro Progresista 31%, New
Sector 5%; seats - (99 total) Colorado 32, Blanco 31, Encuentro
Progresista 31, New Sector 5
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judges are nominated by the
president and elected for 10-year terms by the General Assembly
Political parties and leaders: National (Blanco) Party, Alberto
VOLONTE Berro; Colorado Party, Jorge BATLLE; Broad Front Coalition,
12 member Executive Secretariat (as of 11 March 1996); New Sector
Coalition, Hugo BATALLA; Encuentro Progresista (EP), Tabare VAZQUEZ
International organization participation: AG (observer), CCC,
ECLAC, FAO, G-11, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IFAD,
IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU,
LAES, LAIA, Mercosur, MINURSO, NAM (observer), OAS, OPANAL, PCA, RG,
UN, UNAMIR, UNAVEM III, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNMOGIP,
UNMOT, UNOMIG, UNOMIL, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Alvaro DIEZ DE MEDINA SUAREZ chancery: 1918 F Street NW, Washington, DC 20006 telephone: [1] (202) 331-1313 through 1316 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles, Miami, and New York
US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Thomas J. DODD embassy: Lauro Muller 1776, Montevideo mailing address: APO AA 34035 telephone: [598] (2) 23 60 61, 48 77 77 FAX: [598] (2) 48 86 11
Flag: nine equal horizontal stripes of white (top and bottom) alternating with blue; there is a white square in the upper hoist-side corner with a yellow sun bearing a human face known as the Sun of May and 16 rays alternately triangular and wavy
Economy ———-
Economic overview: Uruguay's small economy benefits from a favorable climate for agriculture and substantial hydropower potential. Economic development has been restrained in recent years by high - though declining - inflation and extensive government regulation. The SANGUINETTI government's conservative monetary and fiscal policies are aimed at continuing to reduce inflation, currently at 35.4%; other priorities include extensive reform of the social security system and increased investment in education. Uruguay went into recession during second quarter 1995 and ended the year with an estimated 2% fall in GDP and a two percentage point rise in unemployment to 11%. This was partly due to Argentina's recession and the slowdown in Brazilian growth in 1995, which contributed to declines in the Uruguayan manufacturing, construction, and service sectors. However, despite its Mercosur (Southern Cone Common Market) partners' troubles, Uruguayan trade expanded and potential new markets are being explored through Mercosur negotiations with neighboring countries and the European Union (EU). Uruguay also recently augmented its transport and agricultural sector ties with the US. The economy is expected to come out of recession as regional growth prospects improve.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $24.4 billion (1995 est.)