Candidates Yamandú Orsi, from the center-left, and Álvaro Delgado, from the center-right, registered their votes in the second round of the presidential elections in Uruguay, this Sunday (24).
Orsi voted at around 10:30 am in his hometown of Canelones, the second most populous in the country, where he was mayor from 2015 to 2024, surrounded by family and supporters.
The conservative Delgado, who has the support of the candidate who came in third place in the first round, voted in the capital Montevideo at around 12:30 pm.
Orsi, who is a protégé of former president Pepe Mujica, for the Popular Participation Movement (MPP), against Delgado’s 26.8%, for the National Party.
The center-right has the support of the conservative Colorado Party, which, with the National Party, makes up almost 42% of the votes. Both parties did the same in 2019, winning the election.
Final opinion polls suggest that the second round this Sunday (24) promises to be fierce, with less than 25 thousand votes
After registering his vote, Mujica’s pupil addressed the undecided voters and made a request. “Don’t lose hope in politics,” he declared while speaking to journalists.
The appeal is made at a time when this group of voters [indecisos] can be fundamental in an extremely close dispute.
Delgado also spoke to journalists after voting and reinforced the importance of going to the polls on Sunday, “today Uruguayans decide the next five years”.
Dispute scenario
High costs of living, inequality and violent crime are among Uruguayans’ biggest concerns, but inflation has been falling in the run-up to the election, and both employment and wages are rising.
Uruguay bucks the global trend of strong divisions between right and left seen in many countries in what has been one.
Uruguay’s current president, Luis Lacalle Pou, is fueling tension with other Mercosur members with his plans for trade deals outside the bloc, including China.
Critics of Mercosur say it prevents Uruguay from increasing its exports of products such as beef and soy.
Lacalle Pou remains popular, but Uruguay’s constitution does not allow leaders to run for immediate re-election.
*With information from Reuters
