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Conservative Seems Likely to Reach Second Presidential Round in Uruguay Conservative Seems Likely to Reach Second Presidential Round in Uruguay
(about 2 hours later)
RIO DE JANEIRO — Voters in Uruguay cast ballots Sunday in a presidential election in which a conservative challenger to the governing coalition of leftist and centrist parties seemed poised to push the race into a second round of voting, revealing a heated race in a country that has enacted a sweeping set of socially liberal laws in recent years.RIO DE JANEIRO — Voters in Uruguay cast ballots Sunday in a presidential election in which a conservative challenger to the governing coalition of leftist and centrist parties seemed poised to push the race into a second round of voting, revealing a heated race in a country that has enacted a sweeping set of socially liberal laws in recent years.
Both of the leading candidates said Sunday night that they expected a runoff, reflecting the results of exit polls.
Tabaré Vázquez, 74, a former president and a leader of the governing Broad Front, went into the election as the front-runner, reflecting support for the coalition. Under President José Mujica, who cannot run for re-election this year, it has won approval of laws legalizing marijuana, same-sex marriage and abortion.Tabaré Vázquez, 74, a former president and a leader of the governing Broad Front, went into the election as the front-runner, reflecting support for the coalition. Under President José Mujica, who cannot run for re-election this year, it has won approval of laws legalizing marijuana, same-sex marriage and abortion.
But Luis Lacalle Pou, 41, a leader of the conservative National Party, has mounted a strong challenge to Mr. Vázquez. Mr. Lacalle Pou, a lawyer and a son of a president of Uruguay in the 1990s, is vowing to scale back plans for the government to take the leading role in growing and selling marijuana, while also focusing on worries over rising crime and quality of schools.But Luis Lacalle Pou, 41, a leader of the conservative National Party, has mounted a strong challenge to Mr. Vázquez. Mr. Lacalle Pou, a lawyer and a son of a president of Uruguay in the 1990s, is vowing to scale back plans for the government to take the leading role in growing and selling marijuana, while also focusing on worries over rising crime and quality of schools.
“Before the race began, security and education had emerged as two important concerns,” said Rosario Queirolo, a professor of political science at Catholic University in Montevideo. “Voters are looking to issues beyond economic demands.”“Before the race began, security and education had emerged as two important concerns,” said Rosario Queirolo, a professor of political science at Catholic University in Montevideo. “Voters are looking to issues beyond economic demands.”
Mr. Mujica, 79, has presided over robust economic growth during his five-year term while also lifting the international profile of Uruguay, a country of 3.3 million people. Although Mr. Mujica retains high approval ratings, big parts of the population are resistant to his social changes. Uruguay allows re-election for presidents only after intervening terms. Mr. Mujica, 79, has presided over robust growth during his five-year term while lifting Uruguay’s international profile. Although Mr. Mujica retains high approval ratings, big parts of the population are resistant to his social changes. Uruguay allows re-election for presidents only after intervening terms.
Though Uruguay remains one of Latin America’s safest nations, an increase in violent crime has rattled many residents. In addition to the voting for president and legislators, Uruguayans also voted Sunday in a plebiscite to determine whether the age at which someone can be criminally charged as an adult should be lowered to 16 from 18.Though Uruguay remains one of Latin America’s safest nations, an increase in violent crime has rattled many residents. In addition to the voting for president and legislators, Uruguayans also voted Sunday in a plebiscite to determine whether the age at which someone can be criminally charged as an adult should be lowered to 16 from 18.
“We see too much aggressiveness in the streets,” said Susana Rodríguez, 66, a pensioner who supports Mr. Lacalle Pou. “Crime is getting out of control.”“We see too much aggressiveness in the streets,” said Susana Rodríguez, 66, a pensioner who supports Mr. Lacalle Pou. “Crime is getting out of control.”
Official results in the election were not expected to be released until after Sunday.Official results in the election were not expected to be released until after Sunday.
Mr. Vázquez, a doctor and a moderate leftist who was president from 2005 to 2010, also signaled during the race that he was open to watering down Uruguay’s marijuana law, which was approved last year. He has also expressed opposition to the legalization of first-trimester abortions, which was approved in 2012, and vetoed similar legislation as president in 2008.Mr. Vázquez, a doctor and a moderate leftist who was president from 2005 to 2010, also signaled during the race that he was open to watering down Uruguay’s marijuana law, which was approved last year. He has also expressed opposition to the legalization of first-trimester abortions, which was approved in 2012, and vetoed similar legislation as president in 2008.
Still, for many voters the election came down to a choice between supporting continuity for the governing Broad Front, or a shift toward more conservative policies. Some drew comparisons between Mr. Lacalle Pou and his father, who unsuccessfully sought to privatize state-controlled companies in the 1990s.Still, for many voters the election came down to a choice between supporting continuity for the governing Broad Front, or a shift toward more conservative policies. Some drew comparisons between Mr. Lacalle Pou and his father, who unsuccessfully sought to privatize state-controlled companies in the 1990s.
“I think he’ll bring back the same policies as his father, looking after large economic interests without worrying about those at the bottom,” Manuel Vila, 67, a retiree in Montevideo and a supporter of Mr. Vázquez, said of the conservative challenger. “I think he’ll bring back the same policies as his father, looking after large economic interests without worrying about those at the bottom,” said Manuel Vila, 67, of Montevideo.