Sanguinetti took office in March 1995 and enjoyed considerable congressional support, in part due to the inclusion of numerous National Party members in his cabinet. He won legislative support for an austerity package that partially dismantled the country s welfare state. A series of labor stoppages and a sharp decline in Sanguinetti s popularity followed. In 1998, the Broad Front continued to be wracked by internal divisions that threatened its viability as a third national electoral option. Mutual accusations of corruption, particular during the time of the Lacalle government, added fuel to internal conflicts among the Blancos and threatened the orderly holding of party primaries in April 1999.
Public safety continues to be a primary concern.
In addition to new wrinkles in the civil-military relationship on issues left over from the time of armed forces rule, the generals floated a trial balloon to gain a greater role in internal security this time under the guise of fighting crime. Political Rights and Civil Liberties Citizens of Uruguay can change their government democratically. Constitutional guarantees regarding free expression, freedom of religion, and the right to form political parties, labor unions, and civic organizations are generally respected. The former Tupamaro guerrillas now participate in the system as part of the Broad Front. In May 1998, however, the commander of the Uruguayan army warned of dire consequences should the Broad Front win national elections and insist on investigating the fate of Uruguay s disappeared.