By Lucinda Elliott
MONTEVIDEO/TREINTA Y TRES (Reuters) – In Uruguay, a country known for its beaches, legalized marijuana, and political stability, voters participated in the polls on Sunday amidst a moderate political atmosphere. This contrasts sharply with the polarized political environments common in many other Latin American nations.
In this election, the 3.4 million citizens of Uruguay were tasked with selecting their next president and lawmakers. Pollsters suggested that a run-off election would likely be necessary in November. Additionally, voters faced decisions on two referendums: one regarding pension reform aimed at lowering the retirement age by five years to 60, and another focused on enhancing police powers to combat drug-related crime.
Unlike the intense right-left political divides seen in countries like Argentina, Brazil, or Mexico, Uruguay’s political landscape is notably calm, with significant convergence between major conservative and liberal coalitions, thereby mitigating the intensity of election outcomes.
In this electoral contest, Broad Front center-left candidate Yamandu Orsi, favored in pre-election forecasts, faced off against continuity candidate Alvaro Delgado. A young, social media adept conservative, Andres Ojeda, also ran, engaging with reporters at his local gym on election day.
Maria Gonzalez, a 61-year-old voter, supported the Broad Front, citing unmet needs in housing, education, and healthcare by the current government.
Poll results indicated that Orsi held a lead, but with no presidential candidate likely capturing more than 50% of the vote, a run-off was anticipated on November 24th between the top two contenders from Sunday’s poll.
Orsi proclaimed that the Broad Front approached the election “with more strength,” expressing pride in his Uruguayan identity to journalists at a polling station.
In Treinta y Tres, a typically conservative rural area in eastern Uruguay, Ramon Silveira, aged 60, voted for Delgado. Silveira expressed support for the continuation of recent trends, confident that with more governmental time, crime rates could be reduced despite recognizing security as an area needing improvement.
Ballot stations were operational from 8 a.m. (1100 GMT) to 7:30 p.m. local time, with results anticipated two hours post-closure.
Greater tension was observed in the two binding plebiscites held on Sunday. One proposed an overhaul of Uruguay’s $22.5 billion private pension system, which has faced criticism from varied political figures concerned about potential adverse economic impacts.
Laura Mesa, a 35-year-old cook, supported the proposal, advocating for a shorter retirement age. Conversely, Jesus Collazo, 23, expressed skepticism, questioning the financial implications of replacing private pension funds and the potential tax burdens.
Voters in Uruguay also considered removing constitutional restrictions on nighttime police raids of private homes to address increasing drug-related crime concerns, with both referendums needing a simple majority to pass.
Orsi, addressing a campaign rally, emphasized a tough stance on crime, asserting the need for safety control.
Despite difficulties in defending its security record, the ruling conservative coalition hopes that economic improvements, evidenced by rising employment and real salaries, can persuade voters to favor continuity over change.
Delgado, upon the opening of polls, expressed confidence in the positive impact and representation of their efforts.