Written by Lucinda Elliott
MONTEVIDEO (Reuters) – In Uruguay’s capital Montevideo and the South American suburbs of 3.4 million people, voters are gearing up for Sunday’s election, which has been overshadowed by complaints about pensions on the same day and fears about crime.
The people of Uruguay will vote for the next president, vice president and members of parliament, and a vote that shows the possibility of continuation is necessary. If no presidential candidate receives more than 50% of the vote on Sunday, the second round will be held on Nov. 24.
Polling stations open on Sunday at 7:30 am (1030 GMT) with results expected after 9:30 pm locally. Polls show center-left Broad Front candidate Yamandu Orsi in the presidential lead, with Alvaro Delgado second in the presidential race.
Uruguay’s race between two front-runners bucks a Latin American trend of major political shifts. Argentina voted in third place last year, with liberal President Javier Milei and Mexico’s first female President, Claudia Sheinbaum, taking office in October.
“This country needs a general change,” Vivian Sanabria, 64, told Reuters, adding that she planned to vote for Orsi, citing issues such as education, support for the elderly and health care.
Orsi, a 57-year-old former mayor, has pledged to focus on economic growth and keep taxes low with a “modern left” platform. His opponent, Delgado, 55, comes from the current government, providing stability.
“I will vote for Alvaro Delgado. He is the one who gives me confidence,” said Martin Mendez, 40. “He will continue to get good results from this government.”
But continuity is a double-edged sword. Voters are happy with the economy under the current government, despite the fiscal deficit that needs to be addressed. But crime and fears about drug gangs have become a key concern for voters.
“We are afraid of our young children when they leave early in the morning to take the bus to high school,” said Sol Gonzalez, 37, who said he often hears gunshots at night.
Fierce battles between small drug-dealing tribes on the outskirts of the city and violent crime have shocked a peaceful nation unaccustomed to gang violence.
Delgado and Orsi also need to fend off third-place challenger social media savvy Andres Ojeda, 40. If Delgado makes it to the second round, Ojeda has pledged his support, prompting a run-off.
PENSION REFERENDUM
Standing on the ballot is lobbying, and on Sunday, overhauling Uruguay’s $22.5-billion private pension system, lowering the retirement age to 60 and increasing payouts. The divisive plan is troubling politicians and investors who say it could have a negative impact on the small $77 billion export-dependent economy.
Although economists and prime ministers warn that it could cripple the state’s finances and mean higher taxes, many Uruguayans, who have been squeezed by higher prices, support an early withdrawal.
In Montevideo’s inner-city neighborhood of Larranaga, canteen chef Camilo Rodriguez, 47, worries about his retirement as he prepares breaded beef, known as milanesas, for lunchtime customers.
Rodriguez was still debating his presidential bid, but said he was ready to vote in favor of pension reforms, which he hopes will reverse the “unfortunate” financial conditions for Uruguay’s elderly.
“You need a lot of wisdom to think about how you will live on retirement in the future,” said Rodriguez. Retirees receive about $450 (18,840 pesos) as a minimum monthly government pension and the change will provide more pay, he added.
Polls suggest support for the measure has eased slightly. In October, 47% said they planned to return this measure, down from 53% in September, data from pollster Factum show. A plebiscite requires a simple majority to pass and is binding.
There is also a proposal to allow nighttime police raids on homes.
The growing level of violence in Uruguay is fueled by changing cocaine-trafficking routes and the ruling Conservative Coalition is struggling to protect its security record.
“The issue of security does not really work, many promises are not fulfilled,” said Maria del Carmen Cotelo, 66, indicating that she will vote for change. “We have to move on.”
