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Uruguay's presidential election goes to runoff | |
(about 17 hours later) | |
Tabare Vasquez of the Broad Front party has emerged as the winner of the first round of voting in Uruguay's presidential election. | |
But Mr Vazquez, the candidate of President Jose Mujica's party, fell short of an outright majority. | |
He will face Luis Lacalle Pou of the right-wing National Party, in a run-off election on 30 November. | |
President Mujica is barred by the constitution from running for a second consecutive term. | President Mujica is barred by the constitution from running for a second consecutive term. |
With most of the votes counted, Mr Vazquez had won over 46% of the vote. | |
Mr Lacalle Pou trailed behind with over 30%, but he swiftly secured the endorsement of the third placed candidate Pedro Bordaberry, of the conservative Colorado Party. | |
Uruguay's outgoing president, Jose Mujica, told Gerardo Lissardy of BBC Mundo that he was confident his party would continue leading the country. | |
However, he said that the election of Mr Vasquez would not necessarily mean there would be no change in policy. | |
"Every government is unique," he said."Probably a new government with Tabare would have the advantage of experience, from his previous period in power. Remember the presidency is not a profession, nor is it training. It's simply how you perform." | |
Tight runoff | Tight runoff |
Tabare Vazquez served as president of Uruguay in 2005-2010 and remains one of the most popular politicians in Latin America. | Tabare Vazquez served as president of Uruguay in 2005-2010 and remains one of the most popular politicians in Latin America. |
BBC correspondent Ignacio de los Reyes says the presidential run-off is expected to be tight. Mr Vazquez's young contender, Luis Lacalle Pou, is the son of a former president and has become a rising political star in recent months. | |
Both candidates have promised to keep social spending high and boost the economy. | |
Mr Mujica remains popular after leading Uruguay through a period of economic 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 the environment. | |
Uruguayans were voting for their choice of president, vice-president and members of parliament at the same time. The Broad Front retained its majority in the senate and the chamber of deputies. | |
They were 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. The proposal did not get more than the 50% vote it needed to be approved. | |
Are you in Uruguay? What is your reaction to the early voting figures? You can email your experiences to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. | Are you in Uruguay? What is your reaction to the early voting figures? You can email your experiences to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. |