President of Uruguay Jose Mujica

The Republic of Uruguay is the state of Latin America. Its economic development is quite high for the countries of South American countries. In 2013, Uruguay ranked third in WFP in Latin America. The average salary in this country is about eight hundred dollars.

Short biography of Jose Mujica

The former president of Uruguay, whose full name is Jose Alberto Mujica, was born on May 20, 1935. His mother was from a poor family of Italian migrants. Father is a Spaniard. He was engaged in farming. He died when Jose was five. At twenty-five, Alberto Mujica joined the national liberation movement Tupamaros. He became his active member. The organization of "Tupamaros" was akin to the famous band Robin Hood. Members of the organization robbed the rich and distributed the money and food they received to the poor. As a result, Jose was arrested more than once.

The first time he was sentenced to jail in 1970. But I managed to escape from prison. And Lucia helped him in this. In 1972, Jose again caught the police. This time he spent more than 10 years in prison. He was locked in solitary cells, and even for 2 years "thrown" to the bottom of the well. Jose was released under an amnesty in 1985. In prison, in total, he served 14 years.

Political career of José Mujica

The political career of José Mujica began in 1985, when democracy was restored in the country. He realized that Robin Hood's methods are ineffective. And it is necessary to fight poverty differently. Political scientists spoke about him saying that he speaks "in the language of the people". They remember how , as a deputy, Jose traveled on an ordinary scooter. Prior to his appointment as president, he managed to visit a senator and even a minister.

Presidential race

In 2008, Jose Mujica was formally approved as a candidate for the presidency of Uruguay. In the election campaign, he promised to continue the policy at that time of Tabar Vaskek in power. The first round he lost, not even half the votes. In the second, slightly more than 50% of the population voted for it. But in 2009, Jose Mujica was finally elected president of Uruguay.

Advantages of the presidential office

According to the status of the President of Uruguay, José Mujica was to live in a luxury villa, ride in expensive cars, live on a "broad leg" and enjoy the other benefits that his office gave him. He received a monthly salary of $ 12,500.

How did the President of Uruguay, Jose Mujica?

Instead of a luxurious life, Jose chose a different, more modest one. Instead of the villa, he stayed in his small house on the outskirts of Montevideo, around which he and his wife grew flowers. Went on an old Volkswagen. Only two policemen guarded him. There were no bodyguards at all. He never bathed in luxury, so all five years that he was in office as president, he was called the poorest leader of the country.

Of course, as the president of Uruguay, José Mujica had to follow a certain protocol. Accept high-ranking guests from other countries and wear a dress. The situation obliged, but he did it without much desire. Just because it's all done according to etiquette. And when the meetings were over, he left for his cozy little house and cleaned the only dress suit in the closet.

José Mujica is still married. His wife, Lucia Topolanski Saavedra, supported him in everything and does so now. Lucia herself still gives the poor half of her pension, believing that the remaining money is enough for them to live. Jose is an ascetic and a vegetarian. Their table was never full of food. They still live modestly, their food is ordinary, simple, like many Uruguayans.

The poorest president of Uruguay, how is he living now? Ordinary life. Servants Jose never had. The linen is dried on ropes in the yard. In the garden there is an old sagging chair. From living creatures there is only one three-lobed dog Manuela, which Jose loves very much. The farm has no access roads. To the overgrown yard, only one narrow dirt road leads. Flowers that are grown with his wife, they sell. But these funds most often go to charity.

All the property of José Mujica is an old car. All the rest of the property is recorded on his wife. This is a few old tractors and the same house in which he and his wife live.

The poorest president

José Mujica - President of Uruguay, whose photo is in this article, has always held the opinion that he can live well and with what he has. And he gave 90% of his salary to poor families or helped those who need it. He left to himself only 1,250 dollars, which for the head of state is "pennies".

Jose Mujica - President of Uruguay, who believed that others live and for less money, so he will have enough for this life. He always said that the Earth is rich in resources, and everyone can live comfortably. Many get enough for ordinary life, but are "obsessed" with the idea of wealth, while others reduce "ends meet."

In 2012, José Mujica announced that the president's palace was giving shelter for the homeless. He believed that the cause of many troubles is the model of civilization, created incorrectly, in his opinion.

What could the poorest president of Uruguay do for his country?

Thanks to José Mujica, Uruguay has become one of the fastest growing countries. For five years in the office of president, he reduced the unemployment rate by almost half, and now it is considered the lowest in all of Latin America. Much less became poor. The reserves of the Central Bank were increased fourfold. And amounted to almost 8 billion dollars. The President of Uruguay, Jose Mujica also created a program of social construction. For government purposes, not only the budget money of the country was allocated, but also part of its personal resources.

There are also unusual presidential decrees, which should be singled out separately. First, he legalized same-sex marriages. And the second - Jose issued a law that allowed the cultivation and sale of cannabis. True, under strict state control. Jose believed that thanks to the law on marijuana, there will be much less drug traffickers in his country. And, accordingly, less money will need to be spent fighting them.