Uruguay: Deepening of progressivism or conservative break?
Uruguay: Deepening of progressivism or conservative break?
Written by José Elosegui
Monday, 15 September 2014 19:13
Source: Latinamerican Press
Surveys indicate that the governing Frente Amplio and right-wing National Party would vie for the presidency in a second round.
On October 26 Uruguayans will vote for a new president and choose the members of the bicameral parliament (30 senators and 90 representatives). Opinion polls indicate that the governing Frente Amplio (FA), or Broad Front, will not win on the first round, so a runoff election on November 30 would be held, in which it will face the conservative National Party (PN).
FA member Tabaré Vázquez, who was president during 2005-2010 and was the first leftist leader in the political history of the country, and the young Luis Lacalle Pou, son of former president Luis Alberto Lacalle (1990-95), are the two choices for president.
It’s also not for certain that the governing leftist party will win the second round. Even if it does triumph, it’s very possible that it will lose the majority in the national parliament.
At the same time as the first round, a referendum will be carried out to let the people decide if they want to lower the age of criminal responsibility from 18 to 16 years of age. The referendum also divides along political parties and their supporters — the PN and Colorado Party (PC), the so called traditional parties, versus the FA. The result of this referendum is also very uncertain.
The two consecutive administrations of the ruling party have made fundamental strides for the Uruguayan people in terms of human rights as well as economic, social and cultural rights.
More:
http://upsidedownworld.org/main/news-briefs-archives-68/5047-uruguay-deepening-of-progressivism-or-conservative-break
