Global General

Mujica sworn in as president of Uruguay

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-03-02 14:15

MONTEVIDEO - Jose Mujica was sworn in on Monday as Uruguay's new president.

Mujica, 74, became the 52nd president of Uruguay at a swearing- in ceremony held in the headquarters of Parliament in the national capital Montevideo at 2:06 p.m. local time (1606 GMT). He replaced Tabare Vazquez to lead the second left-wing government.

Uruguay's President Jose Mujica applauds after receiving the presidential sash from outgoing President Tabare Vazquez (not seen) in Montevideo March 1, 2010. [Agencies]

"I, Jose Alberto Mujica Cordano, promise to perform loyally at the position, which I am confident with and will protect and defend the Constitution of the Republic," Mujica said at the ceremony.

The swearing-in was administered by Mujica's wife, Lucia Topolansky, who was a senator and also a veteran member of the country's guerrilla movement years ago.

Mujica began to address the General Assembly at 2:10 p.m. local time (1610 GMT). After the ceremony, he will tour the city in a presidential car before arriving at the Independence Square for more celebrations.

The new president has ordered tents to be set up in the square to host the celebrations, as a sign of "austerity."

According to the official agenda, Mujica will also host a dinner party for 1,300 guests at the Technologic Lab of Uruguay.

The swearing-in ceremony was attended by Argentine President Cristina Fernandez, Bolivian President Evo Morales, Brazilian Presidnet Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Colombian President Alvaro Uribe, Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa, Paraguayan President Fernando Lugo, and Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Prince of Spain Felipe de Borbon also attended the ceremony.

Mujica was born in Montevideo on May 20, 1935. He was a member of the National Party when he was young. He was once appointed agriculture minister, a position he held from 2005 to March last year. On November 29, 2009, Mujica, representing the ruling Broad Front party, won the country's presidential run-off by grabbing more than 50 percent of the total vote.

He has pledged to continue the economic policies of the current government, which have helped attract foreign investment in dairy industry and forestry, reduce unemployment and enhance minority rights.