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Uruguay votes for new president to succeed Jose Mujica | Uruguay votes for new president to succeed Jose Mujica |
(about 7 hours later) | |
Voting is under way in Uruguay to elect a new president to succeed Jose Mujica, who is barred by the constitution from running again. | |
Former President Tabare Vazquez of the Broad Front, Mr Mujica's left-leaning party, is ahead in opinion polls. | Former President Tabare Vazquez of the Broad Front, Mr Mujica's left-leaning party, is ahead in opinion polls. |
But neither he nor his main challenger, Luis Lacalle Pou of the right-wing National Party, is expected to win outright without a second round. | But neither he nor his main challenger, Luis Lacalle Pou of the right-wing National Party, is expected to win outright without a second round. |
Pedro Bordaberry of the Colorado Party is trailing a distant third. | Pedro Bordaberry of the Colorado Party is trailing a distant third. |
Polls opened at 08:00 (10:00 GMT) and close at 19:30. Exit polls are expected at 20:30 and partial results by 22:00. | |
Uruguayans are casting ballots for president, vice-president and members of parliament at the same time. The Broad Front could lose its current majority in Congress. | |
They are also voting in a controversial referendum on whether to lower the age at which a person can be criminally charged as an adult from 18 to 16. | |
Popular president | Popular president |
Mr Mujica remains popular after leading Uruguay through economy growth and wage rises, but he is barred by the constitution from running for a second consecutive term. | Mr Mujica remains popular after leading Uruguay through economy growth and wage rises, but he is barred by the constitution from running for a second consecutive term. |
His government was behind social reforms such as the legalisation of marijuana, abortion and gay marriage. | His government was behind social reforms such as the legalisation of marijuana, abortion and gay marriage. |
But critics say it has failed to deal with problems in education, security and environmental protection. | But critics say it has failed to deal with problems in education, security and environmental protection. |
If no candidate obtains the 50.1% needed to avoid a second round, Uruguayans will choose between the two leading candidates on 30 November. | If no candidate obtains the 50.1% needed to avoid a second round, Uruguayans will choose between the two leading candidates on 30 November. |
Tabare Vazquez served as president of Uruguay in 2005-2010 while Luis Lacalle Pou is the son of a former president. | Tabare Vazquez served as president of Uruguay in 2005-2010 while Luis Lacalle Pou is the son of a former president. |