Uruguay’s ruling leftists may be forced to take back thousands of free condoms bearing the likeness of Jos? Mujica, their candidate in next month’s presidential election.
The opposition complained that the giveaways were paid for with government funds.
In a campaign promotion vefore next month’s presidential election, some 50,000 condoms bearing the candidate’s image and party colours were distributed to potential voters. But a conservative former health minister, Gustavo Amen Vaguetti, complained and called on the ruling party to re-collect the contraceptives.
“The problem is that they were not purchased as part of a \ campaign, but with public funds,” said Mr Vaguetti, who said that the cost should have come out of Mr Mujica’s campaign fund.
The condoms in question had red, white and blue packaging and bore the words Frente Amplio (Broad Front) — the coalition party seeking to succeed the sitting leftis President Tabar? V?zquez.
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They also carried the name “Pepe”, Mr Mujica’s nickname, as well as that of f his running mate, Danilo Astori.
Mr Mujica’s party dismisses the controversy. “We have no problem with repaying the Health Ministry,” said Nestor Delgado, the candidate’s spokesman, who said the party would continue to distribute the condoms.
“What we’ve given out is only a fraction of the 250,000 we’ve purchased for the campaign,” he said.