Uruguay election: Voters in one of Latin America’s strongest democracies pick between 2 centrists

MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay (AP) — The small South American federation of Uruguay is holding a remarkably civilized wide predetermination connected Sunday that pits an incumbent blimpish conjugation against a mean left-wing confederation successful a state free from nan governmental histrionics of different statesmanlike contests astir nan world.

No 1 expects nan result of nan ballot to herald drastic alteration successful this federation of 3.4 cardinal people, agelong heralded arsenic a exemplary populist and land of stableness successful nan region.

With nan main parties successful wide statement connected galore issues, nan run is being fought complete elector concerns for illustration kid poorness and security. Rising homicides and robberies correspond nan biggest interest for Uruguayans, polls show, moreover though nan state is 1 of nan region’s safest.

“In a way, Uruguay has been boring, but boring successful this consciousness is very good,” said Juan Cruz Díaz, a governmental expert who runs nan Cefeidas consultancy group successful Buenos Aires. “We’ve seen truthful galore melodramatic changes successful Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador, Colombia and abruptly we look elections successful Uruguay successful which location is simply a wide consensus, there’s stability.”

While successful neighboring Brazil and Argentina, voters precocious vented their rage astatine nan position quo, Uruguay’s electorate remains mostly satisfied pinch nan government’s business-friendly policies and nan economy’s dependable growth. The existent center-right president, Luis Lacalle Pou, enjoys a 50% support rating.

As law word limits barroom Lacalle Pou from moving for a 2nd consecutive term, nan governing party’s campaigner is Álvaro Delgado, 55, a congressman and Lacalle Pou’s erstwhile main of unit who started his profession arsenic a veterinarian.

“This authorities leaves america pinch a very coagulated first level to proceed building nan future,” Delgado said astatine his closing run rally.

His main challenger is Yamandú Orsi, 57, a center-left erstwhile politician and history coach pinch humble roots from nan Frente Amplio (or Broad Front) coalition, which governed for 15 years earlier Lacalle Pou’s 2019 victory. His run ads show him drinking mate, nan herbal portion beloved by Uruguayans, and stepping his canine successful casual wear.

From 2005-2020, Frente Amplio oversaw progressive laws, specified arsenic nan legalization of same-sex marriage. Uruguay became nan first state successful nan world to legalize cannabis for recreational usage and developed 1 of nan greenest grids, powered by 98% renewable energy.

The latest polls show Orsi successful a comfortable lead astatine 44%, but not winning outright, which would nonstop nan state to a run-off connected Nov. 24.

Orsi has benefited from nan support of celebrated erstwhile President José “Pepe” Mujica, nan eccentric erstwhile guerrilla who helped spearhead Uruguay’s translator into nan continent’s astir socially wide state during his 2010-2015 presidency. Now 89, Mujica is battling esophageal cancer.

Like Mujica, who lives successful a humble farmhouse connected nan outskirts of Montevideo, Orsi says he wouldn’t unrecorded successful nan statesmanlike palace if elected.

In a distant 3rd is Andrés Ojeda, 40, a muscular and media-savvy lawyer who has tried to energize apathetic young voters pinch splashy run videos showing him lifting astatine nan gym and describing himself arsenic a classical Capricorn.

“I want to beryllium nan campaigner who inspires and enthralls people,” he said astatine his run arena Thursday.

He told The Associated Press that his unconventional style draws inspiration from different charismatic “leaders of nan caller politics” successful Latin America wielding societal media to amass fans, for illustration El Salvador’s populist Nayib Bukele and Argentina’s extremist libertarian Javier Milei. But he backs nan ruling conjugation and promises nary extremist change.

Voters successful nan federation of 3.4 cardinal will besides take nan adjacent vice president and members of parliament connected Sunday.

Perhaps much arguable than nan country’s statesmanlike title is simply a law referendum besides held Sunday that would overhaul Uruguay’s societal information system.

If approved by much than 50% of voters, nan $23 cardinal strategy backed by nan country’s powerful leftist unions would little nan status age, boost payouts and transportation Uruguayans’ privately managed savings to a government-run trust.

Both starring candidates person spoken retired against nan proposal, which has already sent tremors done world markets. Shrugging disconnected nan fiscal consequences, supporters opportunity it would redistribute Uruguay’s resources much fairly.

There is besides a referendum connected allowing nighttime constabulary raids connected homes.

Uruguayans are not obliged to ballot successful nan plebiscites, but voting successful nan legislature and statesmanlike races is compulsory.

Some 2.7 cardinal group are eligible to ballot successful nan country, wherever turnout successful nan 2019 predetermination topped 90% — among nan highest anyplace successful nan world.

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DeBre reported from Buenos Aires, Argentina