By Lucinda Elliott
MONTEVIDEO/TREINTA Y TRES (Reuters) -Voters in Uruguay, recognized for its seashores, legalized marijuana and stability, went to the polls on Sunday in an election race between moderates that contrasted with the polarized politics in lots of different Latin American nations.
The nation of three.4 million was voting for its subsequent president and lawmakers, with pollsters predicting a run-off will seemingly be wanted in November. The nation may even determine on a referendum on pension reform that may decrease the retirement age by 5 years to 60 and one other that may enhance police powers to battle drug-related crime.
However not like sharp right-left divides in Argentina, Brazil or Mexico, Uruguay’s political area is comparatively tension-free, with important overlap between the main conservative and liberal coalitions taking among the sting out of the consequence.
The vote within the small South American nation noticed Broad Entrance center-left candidate Yamandu Orsi, the pre-election favourite, tackle continuity contender Alvaro Delgado. Behind them was younger, social media savvy conservative Andres Ojeda, who addressed reporters outdoors his native gymnasium on election day.
Maria Gonzalez, 61, was voting for the Broad Entrance as a result of she stated folks had been in “super want” and that the present authorities had failed to handle points associated to housing, training and healthcare.
Polls confirmed Orsi within the lead, however indicated no presidential candidate would seemingly get greater than 50% of the vote, that means a second spherical run-off could be held on Nov. 24 between Sunday’s prime two finishers.
Orsi stated the Broad Entrance had arrived on the election “with extra energy,” addressing journalists on Sunday morning at a polling station. “I am from the neighborhood, I am from this metropolis and I really feel more and more proud to be Uruguayan.”
In Treinta y Tres, a rural area of japanese Uruguay that has historically voted conservative, 60-year-old farm employee Ramon Silveira was casting his poll for Delgado. “I would like the development of the final 5 years to proceed,” he stated.
Whereas safety was an space the ruling coalition may enhance on, Silveira was assured that with extra time in authorities, crime charges would come down.
Poll stations opened at 8 a.m. (1100 GMT) and shut at 7:30 p.m. native time, with outcomes anticipated two hours later.
There was greater rigidity in two binding plebiscites, additionally on Sunday. One requested whether or not to overtake Uruguay’s $22.5 billion non-public pension system, which has drawn criticism from politicians throughout the aisle who say it may damage the financial system.
Laura Mesa, a 35-year-old prepare dinner was in favor: “We work all our lives. The retirement age needs to be shorter so we are able to get pleasure from it!” she stated from a polling station in Treinta y Tres.
Jesus Collazo, 23, was much less satisfied by the reform proposal: “I agree with some points like reducing the retirement age, however I maintain pondering: What are they going to do to interchange all this non-public pension cash? Will they make us pay taxes?”
Uruguayans may even vote on whether or not to take away constitutional curbs on nighttime police raids focusing on non-public houses as a method to fight drug-related crime, a rising concern for voters. Each referendums require easy majorities to go.
“We should take management of our security,” Orsi instructed a marketing campaign rally this week, pledging to be robust on crime.
The ruling conservative coalition is struggling to defend its safety file, however hopes successes on the financial system – with each employment and actual salaries now on the rise – could also be sufficient to persuade voters to decide on continuity over change.
“I am satisfied that each one the work we have achieved and what we characterize goes to end up nicely,” Delgado stated as polls opened on Sunday.
