Buenos Aires, Nov 24, (dpa/GNA) – Following an election campaign in Uruguay that lacked fierce confrontations ahead of Sunday’s vote, left-wing candidate Yamandú Orsi, is neck-and-neck with conservative rival Álvaro Delgado from the ruling party.
Although Orsi was slightly ahead in recent polls, most see the race as even since the decisive factor is likely to be which candidate can attract more votes from supporters of candidates, eliminated in the first round of voting.
Around 2.7 million people are called to vote in the small South American country, where voting is compulsory. The popular incumbent Luis Lacalle Pou is constitutionally barred from running again. Although Latin America is marked by strong polarization, political violence, and authoritarian tendencies, Uruguay is seen as a model democratic country.
The left-wing Orsi, if victorious, aims to combat poverty and take decisive action against corruption. The conservative Delgado announced plans to continue the current government’s policies, and reduce bureaucracy. According to polls, Uruguayans are primarily concerned about security, the economic situation, and jobs.
Since the return to democracy 40 years ago, centre-right and centre-left governments have alternated in power. Regardless of the election outcome, no radical changes are expected.
“People don’t want a profound change, just small adjustments,” said Mariana Pomiés, director of the polling company Cifra, in an interview with the newspaper El Observador.
GNA