Voters in Uruguay returned to the polls on Sunday, with early results indicating a second-round showdown between leading candidates: centre-left rural mayor Yamandú Orsi and centre-right Álvaro Delgado from the ruling party. The runoff, set for 24 November, became certain as Orsi pulled significantly ahead of Delgado, though falling short of the majority needed to secure an outright win.
Orsi, a former history teacher and two-term mayor backed by the Broad Front, rallied supporters late Sunday in Montevideo. “The Broad Front is once again the most voted party in Uruguay,” he announced to crowds waving flags and celebrating, as over 90% of ballots were counted.
The Broad Front, which held the presidency for 15 years until 2020, gained traction by promising stronger social protections in Uruguay, where 20% of children live in poverty and an ageing population has pushed for better pensions. The party’s progressive legacy, including legalising abortion, same-sex marriage, and recreational marijuana, was shaped by former President José “Pepe” Mujica, who has also endorsed Orsi. Now, Mujica, who cast his vote from a wheelchair, reiterated his belief in democracy despite its imperfections.
Orsi’s policy stance leans toward a more moderate left, supporting tax incentives to attract investors and efforts to expand the country’s technology sector. His pledge to limit state privileges for heads of state is seen as a nod to Mujica, who famously renounced many trappings of office.
Delgado, who served as a senior adviser to outgoing President Luis Lacalle Pou, has campaigned on promises to continue business-friendly policies that align with Pou’s administration. Pou, barred from re-election, leaves office with a 50% approval rating, giving Delgado a substantial support base. Delgado’s message, “Re-elect a good government,” echoes his platform’s steady, business-oriented focus.
Notably, Andrés Ojeda, a lawyer and popular media figure, placed third with 17% of the vote, drawing young voters with energetic ads and pledging to support Delgado in preventing a Broad Front victory. At his rally, Ojeda underscored his coalition’s importance in securing the governing party’s position.
In contrast to the polarising elections in neighbouring Argentina and Brazil, Uruguay’s race has seen less tension, though a referendum to overhaul the country’s social security system stirred debate. The proposed reforms aimed to lower the retirement age, increase minimum payments, and consolidate citizens’ private savings into a state-run fund, adding a layer of complexity to an election with one of the world’s highest voter turnouts at 89%.
Frances Ibiefo
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