Uruguay's presidential election has advanced to a second round of voting, as center-left former mayor Yamandú Orsi emerged ahead of the center-right governing coalition's candidate, Álvaro Delgado. With over 80 percent of the votes counted, both candidates expressed their anticipation of a runoff scheduled for November 24.
Exit polls indicated that Mr. Orsi received between 42 and 44 percent of the vote, while Mr. Delgado garnered approximately 27 to 28 percent. Neither candidate achieved the 50 percent threshold required for an outright victory.
Mr. Orsi, representing the center-left Broad Front alliance, which held the presidency from 2005 to 2019, entered the election as the front-runner, reflecting a public desire for a stronger social safety net in one of Latin America's most expensive nations. He addressed supporters in Montevideo, emphasizing the importance of the final campaign push over the next 27 days.
Mr. Delgado, who previously served as chief of staff to President Luis Lacalle Pou, pledged to continue the current administration's policies, which maintain a 50 percent approval rating. The Constitution prohibits President Lacalle Pou from seeking a second consecutive term.
Uruguay is often regarded as a model democracy and a stable nation in the region, characterized by a lack of the intense polarization seen in other countries. The election featured two moderate candidates whose platforms frequently overlapped.
Also present at Mr. Delgado's gathering was Andrés Ojeda, who finished in third place but surpassed expectations. A lawyer known for his media presence, he aimed to engage younger voters through dynamic campaign videos. He stated, “The government cannot be won without us.”
Electoral officials reported a turnout of 89 percent among the country's 2.7 million eligible voters, as voting in presidential and congressional elections is mandatory in Uruguay.
The campaign has primarily centered on rising crime rates, with the governing coalition advocating for a tough-on-crime stance, while the liberal coalition seeks to enhance the state's role in security matters.
During its 15 years in power, the Broad Front oversaw significant economic growth and the implementation of socially liberal laws, including the legalization of abortion, same-sex marriage, and recreational marijuana use. Uruguay has also achieved a highly renewable energy grid, with 98 percent of its energy sourced from renewables.
Mr. Orsi's working-class background and casual demeanor have resonated with voters, drawing comparisons to former president José “Pepe” Mujica, who served from 2010 to 2015. Mr. Mujica, now 89 and battling esophageal cancer, cast his ballot in Montevideo and emphasized the importance of supporting democracy.
The election campaign has been notably devoid of the harsh insults and personal attacks common in other nations, including neighboring Argentina and Brazil. Political analyst Juan Cruz Díaz remarked on Uruguay's relative stability, contrasting it with the dramatic political changes occurring in the region.