After the First Round: José Mujica and the Future of the Frente Amplio Party in Uruguay

Adolfo Garcé
AQ Web Exclusive
October 30, 2009

The party in power loses votes. This phrase sums up one of the most consistent rules in Uruguayan electoral history for the last 60 years. As was made perfectly clear during the first round of presidential voting on October 29, the government of Tabaré Vázquez is no exception to this rule.

But José Mujica, the former leftist guerrilla leader and current presidential candidate from Vázquez’ Broad Front party (Frente Amplio), is still the clear favorite to win the runoff election on November 29. To win the presidency, Mujica must obtain more votes than former President Luis Alberto Lacalle, the candidate from the National Party (PN). For the political powerhouse of the Frente Amplio, defeating the National Party leader will not be very difficult.

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