Uruguay’s presidential election set to go to runoff

Exit polls showed Uruguay’s ruling leftist coalition candidate Tabaré Vázquez with a strong lead in the country’s presidential election on Sunday but falling short of a 50% majority required to win outright in the first round.

Movimiento de Participación Popular, the political party of outgoing President Jose Mujica, who gained international notice for social reforms such as legalisation of marijuana and gay marriage, enjoys a 15-point lead but this is not enough for an outright vicory.

One exit poll by Consultora Factum showed the Broad Front’s Vázquez winning 46% and Luis Lacalle Pou of the National party with 31%. A different exit poll had Vázquez winning 44% and Lacalle Pou on 33%.

If the trend is confirmed by the country’s electoral court, it would ensure a tight second round on 30 November.

Opinion polls before Sunday’s vote had shown Vázquez and Lacalle Pou neck-and-neck in a runoff.

Vázquez, 74, brought the ruling Broad Front to power in 2005 and his blend of pro-market economic policies and social welfare measures that slashed poverty rates won broad support but he was constitutionally barred from a second consecutive term.

The outgoing president, José Mujica, continued the model, which remains popular though many voters have become disenchanted with the scale of his Broad Front’s liberal social reforms, including the legalisation of marijuana production and distribution.

Vázquez has faced stiff competition from Pou, who has climbed steadily in polls since an unexpected victory in his party’s primaries, campaigning on a platform for change.

The Uruguayan law barred Mujica from running for another term, even though he remains popular after leading Uruguay during a period that saw the economy grow and wages rise.

But critics say his government failed to deal with problems in education, security and environmental protection.

"A part of society has changed its mood and seems to be demanding new ideas from the political leadership,'' said Daniel Chasquetti, a political scientist at Universidad de la Republica in the capital.

While recognising Mujica's achievements in the economic realm, Pou campaigns on a promise to focus on crime and education.

Pou also said that he would seek to modify the law that Mujica spearheaded to create the world's first national marketplace for legal marijuana.

Voters also elected lawmakers on Sunday. Neither the Broad Front nor Lacalle Pou's National Party are likely to win a majority in Congress, meaning the next president will face a tougher time than Mujica in passing laws.

Uruguayans also voted in a referendum on whether to reform the constitution to lower the age a person can be criminally charged as an adult from 18 to 16.