Mario Bergara (politician)
Mario Bergara | |
|---|---|
| Born | Mario Esteban Bergara Duque May 4, 1965 Montevideo, Uruguay |
| Occupation(s) | Economist, accountant, politician |
| Years active | 1983–present |
| Known for | Intendant of Montevideo (2025–present); President of the Central Bank of Uruguay (2008–2013, 2015–2018); Minister of Economy and Finance (2013–2015) |
Mario Esteban Bergara Duque (born 4 May 1965) is a Uruguayan economist, accountant, and political figure, currently holding the position of Intendant of Montevideo since 2025. Affiliated with the Broad Front, he has occupied significant posts such as Senator during the 49th Legislature, president of the Central Bank of Uruguay from 2008 to 2013 and again between 2015 and 2018, as well as Minister of Economy and Finance from 2013 to 2015.
Early life
Born on 4 May 1965 in Montevideo, Bergara and his twin brother come from a family with Spanish heritage. His parents were supporters of the Colorado Party. He completed his primary education at Escuela N° 137 María Noya and secondary studies at Liceo Nº 26 Líber Falco. Bergara earned degrees in economics and public accounting from the University of the Republic in 1987 and 1990, respectively. He obtained a master's degree in economics in 1997 followed by a doctorate in economics in 1998 from the University of California, Berkeley. In recognition, he was awarded the Elise and Walter A. Haas International Award by Berkeley in 2008.
At the age of sixteen, Bergara began his opposition to the civic-military dictatorship of Uruguay through signature campaigns and flyer distribution. By 1983, he had joined the Communist Youth Union.
Political career
Bergara has held prominent positions within the Banco de la República and the Banco Central, including leading its Department of Economic Studies from 2001 until 2005. He also served as director of the Communications Services Regulatory Unit.
Originally affiliated with the Communist Party, he transitioned to the Broad Front after departing from the Communist Party in 1989 upon completing his graduate education. He worked closely alongside Broad Front founder Líber Seregni. After the Broad Front’s triumph in the 2004 general elections, Bergara was appointed Deputy Minister of Economy and Finance under Minister Danilo Astori. Upon resigning with Astori, he was named President of the Central Bank on 11 November 2008, a role he fulfilled until December 2013 when he assumed office as Minister of Economy and Finance, succeeding Fernando Lorenzo. He resumed leadership at the Central Bank in April 2015.
In the 2019 Broad Front presidential primaries, Bergara ran but was defeated by Daniel Martínez (politician), receiving 9.28% of the vote. He was subsequently elected Senator for the 49th Legislature, beginning his term on 15 February 2020. In August 2023, Bergara announced his candidacy for the Broad Front’s presidential primary for 2024 but withdrew in April 2024 to support Yamandú Orsi. He secured reelection as senator for the 50th Legislature during the 2024 general election.
Rumors regarding his potential candidacy for Intendant of Montevideo surfaced in December 2024; Bergara officially declared his campaign in March 2025. He emerged victorious in the municipal election as the Broad Front’s leading candidate under the Ley de Lemas system. On July 8, 2025, he resigned from his Senate position and took office as Intendant two days later.
Personal life
Bergara was married to the journalist and news anchor Blanca Rodríguez. He had a son named Diego, who died in 2013 due to an unspecified illness.