The return of the left to power or the continuity of the current government coalition is an unknown in Uruguay, which will only be resolved at the polls and most likely in a second round, at the end of November, according to all the polls.
On October 27, some 2.7 million Uruguayans are called to the polls to elect the president and legislators for the period 2025-2030 and today is the closing of the campaign of the main parties.
The leftist Frente Amplio, with its candidate, Yamandú Orsi, leading all the polls, aspires to return to power, while the four political forces of the ruling coalition seek to continue for another five years.
At the moment, Álvaro Delgado, of the National Party, is second in all the polls, while Andrés Ojeda, of the Colorado Party, is in third place.
To be elected, any of the candidates must obtain more than 50% of the valid votes. Otherwise, the two most voted will advance to a second round set for November 27.
According to the latest survey by the consulting firm Factum, the Frente Amplio would reach 44% of the votes, while 24% would be for the National Party and 17% for the Colorado Party.
These results are almost coincident with those of the consulting firm Cifra, which gives 44% to the Frente Amplio, 24% to the National Party and 14% to the Colorado Party.
From a “poor campaign” to challenges
Political scientist Alfonso Lessa tells EFE that at the moment he does not take for granted the victory of any candidate either in the first or in a possible second round.
The number of undecided people is high and “does not seem to be totally favorable to the Frente Amplio,” he says.
In addition to electing the president of the country and other positions, voters will give their opinion in these elections about the plebiscite proposed by the PIT-CNT union center, linked to the Frente Amplio, to reform social security.
“If it succeeds, it will cause problems for any government. When you talk to businessmen and others, you see that what worries them is that the social security reform can be approved,” says Lessa.
The political scientist points out that all political parties – there are eleven in total – have had “a poor campaign.”
“There have been no major topics of debate, people have not mobilized, none of the candidates are charismatic. Now they are in this thing. But everything has been rather superficial,” he says.
Optimism, certainties and renewal
On the contrary, Orsi believes, as he said in a recent press conference, that “there is militant enthusiasm, joy and hope in the people”, a “very auspicious climate” for the Frente Amplio.
The leftist candidate asserted that the Frente Amplio is doing well and will be the majority political force after the elections, although he pointed out that a second round “is likely,” since in Uruguay “it is very difficult” to achieve victory in the elections. of October.
“There is a lot of expectation from the parliamentary majority, of the second round. Calmly but with optimism,” he said.
For his part, Delgado, of the National Party, the same as the current president, Luis Lacalle Pou, said at an event that his political strength is “much more than continuity of course.”
“Today we are the national hope that this course continues and that Uruguay does not go backwards. We are the certainties. This party, our National Party, is the one that today gives certainties to the people. Certainties to those who vote for us and surely also to the that they don’t vote for us,” he emphasized.
Meanwhile, Ojeda indicated at an electoral rally that his force is “where no one thought” it would be and in a place “that has many people angry and nervous.”
“We have been saying for quite some time that we walk with two keys: renewal and unity,” said the candidate, who added that the Colorado Party is “one step away” from fighting for the Presidency.
Uruguay / EFE
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