Uruguay’s 2024 forgotten general election

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n 27 October 2024, Uruguayans will go to the polls to elect the successor to President Luis Lacalle Pou. Unlike other high–stake elections in the region such as those in Mexico or in Venezuela, the Uruguayan election has received almost no international coverage. But no news is good news—Uruguay's robust institutions continue to reassure international observers and investors that whoever is elected will maintain the country's political and economic system.

In an era of disruptive elections and rising distrust in democracy, Uruguay stands out. Most Uruguayans continue to support democracy as the best system of government—75 percent of the population, according to Latin American Public Opinion Project. During the nearly 40 years that followed Uruguay's transition to democracy, the country's strong political parties were able to reach consensus on major issues, including the need to strengthen and protect democratic institutions, as well as the development of a market economy with strong social safety nets.

After five years marked by global instability and unprecedented external shocks including the Covid pandemic and the 2022–2023 drought—leaving areas of the country without drinking water and significantly damaging the economy—polls show that voter preferences are similar to last election’s. Voters remain divided into two large camps: one center–right, led by Lacalle Pou's Partido National, and a center–left bloc, led by Frente Amplio.

Yamandú Orsi, a former teacher and mayor, heads the Frente Amplio ticket with Carolina Cosse, a former mayor of Montevideo. On the other hand, the ruling coalition will have five different presidential candidates representing each member party of the coalition. The leading candidates are: Álvaro Delgado—former chief of staff of President Lacalle Pou—and Andrés Ojeda—a popular and disruptive, young criminal lawyer.

As in the previous three elections, it is unlikely any candidate will get the necessary majority to win in the first round, leading to a runoff election in November. According to polls, this will likely be between Orsi and Delgado. While both candidates seek closer ties with Washington and Beijing, to attract foreign investment and to reduce trade barriers, Orsi has focused his campaign on raising issues such as child poverty and local organized crime. For his part, Delgado's campaign is rallying around Lacalle Pou's successes, including the government's internationally acclaimed handling of Covid and strong macroeconomic indicators. President Lacalle Pou, who is not eligible for reelection due to constitutional limits, maintains high approval ratings.

In addition to electing a new president and parliament, Uruguayans will have to vote on two plebiscites, one that could fundamentally change the social security system and a second one to allow nighttime police raids.

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Uruguay’s 2024 forgotten general election

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