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TWO MILLION Uruguayans will decide what direction the country will take tomorrow when polls open to elect a successor to progressive president Jose Mujica.
Mr Mujica has become world famous for his landmark reforms and lifestyle but is constitutionally barred from running again.
The country has changed under his leadership — poverty has fallen from 40 per cent to about 10 per cent and unemployment is at a historic low.
Uruguay has also become one of the world’s most socially progressive countries, decriminalising abortion, backing marriage equality and regulating the market for legal cannabis.
The front-runner in the polls is Frente Amplio (Broad Front) candidate Tabare Vazquez, who is credited with 43-45 per cent backing from the electorate.
The Broad Front was founded in 1971 and is a coalition of left-wing parties and progressive factions from within the traditional parties.
Mr Vazquez, who is backed by Mr Mujica, promises to raise spending on education and to introduce a national health system to further improve access to healthcare for all.
In addition, he would develop infrastructure and rail transport and advance environmental sustainability.
The two traditional parties — the Partido Nacional (National Party) and the Partido Colorado (Red Party) date from the 19th century, are both right-wing and can be relied upon to urge their supporters to unite against Mr Vazquez in the second round.
National Party candidate Luis Alberto Lacalle Pou, who is the son of former conservative president Luis Alberto Lacalle, currently polls 29-33 per cent.
The Red Party hopeful is Pedro Bordaberry, who lies a poor third with 11-15 per cent estimated backing.
Mr Lacalle Pou says that he wants to modernise the political right, claiming to be supportive of some of President Mujica’s reforms but intending to move beyond them.
He is heavily critical of what he calls “major interference” by the state in the economy and wants closer links with the US.
Mr Bordaberry, the son of former dictator Juan Maria Bordaberry, is opposed to the regional Mercosur trade bloc and would criminalise cannabis, lower the age of criminal responsibility for serious crimes and use the military to support police operations.
