Uruguay's once desolate choice becomes a head-to-head race in the presidential duel
Uruguay's once desolate choice becomes a head-to-head race in the presidential duel
Uruguayaner went to the ballot boxes on Sunday to choose their next president in a second round. The conservative government party and the left -wing coalition are in a close competition after the first ballot last month, since none of the parties could win a clear majority.
competition between the candidates
The rather quiet choice has developed into a tough competition between Álvaro Delgado, the candidate of the reigning party, and Yamandú Orsi from Broad Front. This coalition of left-wing and centric parties ruled for 15 years until 2019 was the central rights President Luis Lacalle Pou.
political achievements of the Broad Front
Broad front has promoted the legalization of abortion, same -sex marriage and the sale of marijuana in the small South American country with 3.4 million inhabitants.
Results of the first election round
In the first round of elections on October 27, Orsis Broad Front received 44% of the votes, while Delgado's national party only achieved 27%. The other conservative parties of the government coalition, especially the Colorado party, together achieved 20%, which gives Delgado an advantage in this round.
indecision of the voters
The congress is evenly distributed after the October election. Most surveys show an almost balanced race between Delgado and Orsi, whereby almost 10% of Uruguayan voters are undecided until this late time.
one -off election campaign shaped by tension
Analysts notice that the less convincing campaigns and the broad consensus have produced exceptional indecisiveness and apathy among the voters on central topics. The election campaign is mainly determined by discussions about social expenditure and growing income relief, while the anti-establishment anger that has brought populist outsiders to power elsewhere is largely missing.
"The question of whether the Frente amplio (the Broad front) taxes increases is not an existential question, in contrast to what we saw in the USA with Trump and Kamala who represent each other as a threat to democracy," said Nicolás Saldías, Senior Analyst for Latin America and the Caribbean at the London Economist Intelligence Unit. "That doesn't exist in Uruguay."
crime as a major election topic
Both candidates turn to the voters and appeal to their concerns about the increase in violent crime that a nation has shaken that has long been one of the safest and most stable in the region.
policy approaches of the candidates
Delgado promises strict measures against crime and the construction of a new high -security prison, while Orsi supports a community -oriented approach to crime prevention.
Delgado: A voter from the rural community
The 55-year-old Delgado, a rural veterinarian with a long career in the national party, leads the election campaign with the promise to continue President Lacalle Pou. In a way, he makes the choice a referendum about his leadership and advertises under the motto "Select a good government again".
lacalle pous inheritance and economic stability
Although a number of corruption scandals briefly shaken the Lacalle Pous government last year, the President - who cannot compete for a second consecutive term - currently enjoys high approval values and a strong economy that, according to international monetary funds, is expected to grow by 3.2% this year. Inflation has also decreased in the past few months, which benefits its coalition.
Orsi: The heir from Mujica
Orsi, 57, a former history teacher and twin mayor from the working class, is widely regarded as the heir of the iconic former president José "Pepe" Mujica. Mujica, a former Marxist guerrilla fighter, increased international profile as one of the most socially liberal and environmentally conscious countries in the region during his term from 2010 to 2015.
mujica, now 89 and on the way of improvement after esophageal cancer, was one of the first to make his vote after opening the polling station. "When it comes to government, the government will be forced to negotiate," he told reporters and praised Uruguay's robust and prudent democracy as "no small thing" in Latin America.
Orsi's vision for Uruguay
While he promises to create a "new left" in Uruguay, Orsi does not plan any dramatic changes. He would rather negotiate any agreement with Beijing via Mercosur. He proposes tax incentives to attract investments and social reforms to reduce retirement age, which, however, do not achieve the radical conversion, strive for unions to the Uruguays.
results of the controversial referendum
The controversial referendum on the increase in pension payments failed in October, since the Uruguayians rejected generous pensions in favor of fiscal restrictions.
promise of cooperation between the candidates
Both candidates offered full cooperation if they are elected. "I want (Orsi) to know that my project is to form a government of national unity," said Delgado after his voting and receiving supporters in the wealthy district of Pocitos of the capital. He added that, if he wins, he and Orsi "a couple (yerba) mate", the traditional herb drink that is loved by Uruguayern would drink together.
Orsi also promised a smooth and respectful crossing of power in the event of its victory and described the democratic exercise on Sunday as "an incredible experience", while in Canelones, the extensive city with beaches and cattle farms north of Montevideo, where he was mayor for a decade. "The essence of politics is agreements," he said. "In the end you are never completely satisfied."
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