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Uruguay votes for new president Ex-militant wins Uruguay election
(about 13 hours later)
Polls are open in Uruguay for presidential elections which are pitting a former left-wing guerrilla against a conservative ex-president. A former left-wing militant who spent almost 15 years in prison during the country's military rule appears to have won the presidential elections.
The front-runner in exit polls is Senator Jose Mujica, a leading member of the Tupamaru movement who spent 12 years in prison during military rule. Reliable exit polls give Jose Mujica, 74, just over 50% of the vote in a run-off poll.
His rival, Luis Lacalle, has been trying to shake off an elitist image. His main rival and former President Luis Lacalle has conceded victory.
Both men are following the highly popular government of Uruguay's first socialist leader, Tabare Vasquez. Mr Mujica succeeds a popular head of state, Tabare Vasquez, who has been in power for the last five years as Uruguay's first left-wing president.
He has led the country out of the the economic doldrums and created employment. With his election victory, Mr Mujica has completed his transformation from left wing rebel to statesman.
Mr Mujica is in his 70s now, maverick, outspoken and with an extraordinary political pedigree. A plain-speaking maverick, who lives a frugal life and enjoys gardening, Mr Mujica's election is being seen as an expression of the desire for left-wing continuity.
Luis Alberto Lacalle is hoping for a return to the presidential palace Mr Lacalle was a conservative former president whose administration was mired in corruption.
But the senator says he now represents a more moderate left along the lines of President Lula in Brazil next door. Consensus bid
He has much support from the poor and working class. During military rule prior to 1985, Mr Mujica spent many years in prison.
Mr Lacalle, a lawyer and former president, says he wants less taxation, to fight crime, and a smaller role for government. He was often held in harsh conditions, even spending two years confined to the bottom of a well.
But Mr Mujica acknowledges that those years of imprisonment cured him of pursuing armed struggle.
He has instead sought to build political consensus, successfully bringing the Tupamaru movement into the governing Broad Front coalition.