Leftist candidate Yamando Orci calls on his supporters to do so

During the closing ceremony of his campaign last Saturday (19), at Praça 1° de Maio, in the Uruguayan capital Montevideo, Frente Amplio candidate, Yamando Orci, indicated that the left is in a better position than the current government coalition to win the presidential elections. Next Sunday (27th).

In the presence of former President Jose Mujica, Orci called on activists to go out in search of hesitant voices. He considered that “there is an interesting expectation” that the Frente Amplio would prevail over the current government, but he reminded those present that many Uruguayan citizens decided to vote in the last two days before the elections.

The Broad Front candidate asked activists to redouble their efforts in the pre-election period. The leftist candidate said: “We should not tell these people that they are making a mistake, but rather we should say that on the broad front there is a proposal that may be of interest to them.”

Pepe Mujica, of whom Orci was a political disciple, also spoke, bringing tears to the audience. In a powerful and moving speech, the historic leader, who led Uruguay from 2010 to 2015, defended the need for a government that “opens its heart and head to every individual in the country.”

Progressive legacy

The left lost the Uruguayan government in 2020 to the center-right coalition led by Luis Lacalle Pou, of the National Party.

This change marked the end of the 15-year “Pink Wave” in Uruguay, the name given to the period that witnessed the great rise of leftist leaders in Latin America. Although the current government has moved away from some of the social policies of previous governments, it has maintained some of the achievements it achieved during its rule Years of progressive governments.

Uruguay remains a country strongly committed to democracy, human rights, and social justice, and the legacy of the Broad Front continues to influence political debate in the country.

According to data from the Obscion research institute, Orci received 42% of the votes, and Alvaro Delgado, former secretary of the Lacalle Po presidency, came in second place, with 24% of intentions. Lawyer Andres Ojeda came in third place with 12%. If opinion polls indicate that Orci will receive 42% of the vote, then all other government candidates together will account for 41% of voting intentions.

If no presidential candidate receives more than 50% of the votes, there will be a second round on November 24. The votes will also determine vacancies for 30 senators and 99 representatives.

*With the bus

Edited by: Leandro Milito