by Paolo Menchi –
The first round of the Uruguayan elections above showed how, unlike what happened in the past in Brazil and the USA (and will happen again very soon), the voters did not divided into two opposite poles. In fact, the two candidates who reached the running field are not that far away politically, which should make it easier for the winner to rule.
On November 24, Uruguay will face a decisive election with a presidential race between Yamandú Orsi, candidate of the Frente Amplio and former mayor of Canelones, and Álvaro Delgado, representative of the National Party and the center-right government. current.
In the first round of elections, which took place on October 27, Orsi was in the lead with 43.7% of the votes followed by Delgado with 26.9%. These results, although they show a clear difference between the candidates, leave the uncertainty about the result of the second round open, precisely because both represent more moderate views in the often polarized global political context.
Despite being candidates from the two main political blocs in Uruguay, Orsi and Delgado share several similarities in their government’s proposals. Both agree that child poverty, a problem that affects 20% of children under the age of six, needs to be tackled.
Both strategies include gradual changes to try to maintain the political and social stability of the country, rather than radical commitments that could destabilize the system.
Sociologist Mariana Pomiés points out that collective transitions and moderate approaches have been crucial to Uruguay’s democracy. Historically, candidates who have made big proposals have been rejected, forcing politicians to change their platforms to appeal to a wider electorate.
The outcome of the runoff will largely depend on the voters who supported other candidates in the first round. Andrés Ojeda, from the Colorado Party, took third place with 16.1% of the vote. Most of his voters are likely to follow Delgado, but alliances are not automatic. Political scientist Rosario Queirolo warns that voters of conservative parties, such as Colorado, are not moving as a bloc to the center-right candidate.
This creates an interesting dynamic, as the Frente Amplio has shown a tendency to capture more votes between the first and second rounds in past elections. The key is the undecided and those who voted a blank ballot or for minor parties, which could have a big impact on the final result.
Economic issues, such as unemployment and inflation, are among Uruguay’s main concerns, especially in the context of moderate GDP growth. However, public safety has become a hot topic, with a significant increase in violent crimes in the country. This context made the two candidates emphasize their honesty and transparency during the election campaign, in an effort to distance themselves from the corruption scandals that hit the outgoing government.
In addition, the campaign was marked by a debate on international politics, especially on Venezuela, where Delgado challenged Orsi to characterize the Maduro regime as a dictatorship.
The obligatory debate between Orsi and Delgado, which was recorded before the run-off, could influence the opinions of voters. Delgado’s experience as a member of parliament could work in his favor, but it could also reveal similarities in their proposals, creating confusion among voters. Political scientist Adolfo Garcé warns of the dangers of electoral competition that does not define clear differences.
“When the government and the opposition get together too much, the feeling of democracy is lost,” said Garcé, stressing the importance of voters feeling that they have certain options.
