Uruguay's Presidential Contest Advances to November Runoff

The presidential election in Uruguay has entered a crucial second phase after Yamandú Orsi, a center-left candidate, captured the majority of votes on Sunday but failed to meet the 50 percent threshold necessary for a direct win. Both Orsi, a former mayor with a history of activism, and Álvaro Delgado, the ruling party's candidate, eagerly anticipate the impending runoff scheduled for November 24. Despite Orsi’s significant lead, with preliminary votes indicating he garnered between 42 to 44 percent, a high-stakes campaign now commences as he aims to consolidate support over the next few weeks.

With 80 percent of the votes reported, the election reflects the growing desire among voters for increased social welfare, a hallmark of Orsi's proposed agenda. He is representing the center-left Broad Front coalition, which previously held power from 2005 to 2019. Orsi urged his supporters in Montevideo to mobilize during this critical 27-day period leading up to the runoff, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and unity to secure a triumph against Delgado, who has drawn approximately 27 to 28 percent of the vote so far.