Building Alliances on the Left: Lessons from the Frente Amplio

Across Europe, progressive movements and left-wing parties face a similar challenge: fragmentation and the rise of Far Right. Despite widespread discontent with inequality, climate breakdown, and democratic erosion, the left is struggling to work together, meanwhile, the right, driven by shared interests, has proven far more adept at gaining ground. To confront the rise of the Far Right and manoeuvre towards a viable future, a key strategy is to build strong and resilient alliances within the left and with those sharing a similar vision. The example of Uruguay’s Frente Amplio offers practical and inspiring insights to build strong alliances and sustain long-term participation in collective processes.

Through the experience of Florencia Abbondanza, And Mauro Conti, we will explore the structures, inclusive procedures, and the culture of values and principles that has allowed this diverse coalition to remain united and politically transformative for more than five decades. We will reflect on their experience, their challenges and learnings. We will learn how this concret Utopia works from two of its protagonists.

Objectives

• • Reflect on the challenges and limitations of building and maintaining broad alliances;
  • Draw lessons on how to sustain participation and engagement across generations;
  • Gain a deeper understanding of the history and experience of the Frente Amplio;
    
  • Learn about its values, principles, and culture, and how these are being nurtured and sustained;
  • Explore the structures and processes of decision-making: how the political agenda is developed, and how decisions are taken within parliament and beyond.

The Frente Amplio

Founded in 1971, the Frente Amplio is a coalition of parties, movements, and social organisations that governed Uruguay for 15 consecutive years, implementing profound social, economic, and democratic reforms. Today, it remains a global benchmark for achieving unity in diversity and demonstrates how broad coalitions can remain effective without losing their values. You can read more about them here.

Who is it for?

• Activists, social movement participants, and collectives seeking to strengthen alliances.
  
• Political parties and trade union organisations interested in internal democracy and participation.
  
• People committed to imagining and building a more just, democratic, and supportive collective future.

Speakers from the Frente Amplio:

Florencia Abbondanza: is a film producer, grassroots organizer, and long-time activist with Uruguay’s Frente Amplio. She combines creative storytelling with political commitment, bringing fresh energy to one of Latin America’s most enduring left-wing coalitions. Currently serving as secretary of the FA’s 1001 list in the Chamber of Deputies, she’s part of a new generation helping to renew the movement’s participatory spirit and keep its transformative vision alive.

Mauro Conti is a political scientist, activist, and member of Uruguay’s Communist Party. Rooted in the student movement and grassroots organising in Montevideo’s Aguada neighborhood, he brings a strong commitment to collective action and democratic renewal within the Frente Amplio. As his committee’s delegate to the FA Coordinating Committee, he represents a generation working to strengthen the movement’s unity and deepen its participatory tradition.

Organised by: Ulex Project

This webinar builds on a year of research and interviews with key members of the Frente Amplio. You can read more about this project, and watch the interviews at Learning From Latin America: Building a Common Front.