Domingo Tortorelli (May 22, 1902 â 1990) was an Uruguayan politician and perennial candidate who ran for the Chamber of Representatives in 1938 and for President of Uruguay in the general elections of 1942 and 1950.
Tortorelli is best remembered in Uruguayan political history for his absurd and populist campaign promises, such as installing free milk taps on street corners, constructing a highway that would run strictly "downhill" from Rivera to Montevideo to save fuel, and implementing a fifteen-minute workday.
Tortorelli was born in Montevideo, the son of Luis Tortorelli, a surveyor and merchant, and Catalina Lucrecia D'Alessandro. He studied agronomy but abandoned his studies to dedicate himself to farming. He married Anatolia Manrupe, a wealthy woman older than him, who financed his political campaigns and frequently accompanied him during his speeches.
Influenced by the rhetorical styles of Benito Mussolini and Juan Domingo Perón, Tortorelli used to deliver speeches from the balcony of his home located near the intersection of 18 de Julio Avenue and Dr. Juan Paullier Street. During one campaign, he reportedly delivered 602 speeches. His public appearances drew large crowds, often stopping traffic. His followers nicknamed him "The Political DDT" (a play on the insecticide and his initials: Don Domingo Tortorelli).
Tortorelli promoted his government program through his party's official organ, the newspaper La Voz de Tortorelli ("The Voice of Tortorelli").
He ran for office three times without success:
Tortorelli is famous for his surreal and populist campaign promises, which have become part of Uruguayan political folklore. Some of his most notable proposals included:
The phrase "worthy of Tortorelli" (digno de Tortorelli) is sometimes used in Uruguayan politics to describe ridiculous or impossible proposals made by politicians.
Tortorelli served as the inspiration for the satirical character "Pinchinatti", created and portrayed by the renowned Uruguayan actor Ricardo Espalter, who parodied populist politicians. In 2019, Uruguayan President Tabaré Vázquez compared the proposals of candidate Juan Sartori to those of Tortorelli.