- Title: URUGUAY: DR. ALBERTO DEMICHELLI TAKES OVER AS CARE-TAKER PRESIDENT.
- Date: 16th June 1976
- Summary: 1. CU: Television set showing pictures of President Demichelli signing book followed by official signing 0.34 2. SV and CU: President shakes hands with official and leaves (2 shots) 0.47 3. GV and CU: President's residence with guard outside (3 shots) 1.01 4. SV: New President being interviewed by newsman watched by President's young nephew. (2
- Embargoed: 1st July 1976 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: MONTEVIDEO, URUGUAY
- Country: Uruguay
- Reuters ID: LVA20FYFLIWHY2YWN198PK0A1TQU
- Story Text: Dr. Alberto Demichelli took over as Uruguay's new present in Montevideo on Monday (14 June). The 79-year-old President asked the Cabinet to stay on, after the ruling military officers forced his predecessor, Senor Juan Maria Bordaberry, to step down last Saturday.
SYNOPSIS: However, the new head-of-state said that he will only serve as interim president. He will vacate his post after 70 days when his successor will be named by a newly-created elective council. Meanwhile, the council, comprising armed forces leaders, and members of the Council of State, will advise the caretaker President on major issues. The country's military leaders plan to gradually restore the traditional two-party political system. However, they have made it clear it may be many years before full elections are held.
The former president, Senor Bordaberry, carried out a virtual coup d'etat in 1973, when he suppressed democratic institutions, dissolved trade unions, banned strikes and imposed press censorship. The coup was the first in Uruguay, in 31 years. Senor Bordaberry was also responsible for crushing the powerful Tupamaros urban guerrillas. He was ousted after a week-long dispute with the armed forces, over the country's political future.
In a nationwide broadcast, the armed forces said that Senor Bordaberry wanted a continuation of military rule, with a ban on political parties. The military leaders said they favoured a gradual return to democracy. Meanwhile, Dr. Demichelli has opened talks with the armed forces on constitutional changes. He has close links with the military. He left the army in 1936 and became a lawyer. Dr. Demichelli was appointed Vie-President in June, 1974 by the man be replaces, Senor Bordaberry.
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