Uruguay turns to Right from Left

Centre-Right National Party candidate Lacalle Pou has won the second round of presidential elections in Uruguay.

The country was ruled by centre-left coalition in the past 15 years. It was a period of political stability and inclusive economic growth. The left had pursued moderate and pragmatic policies. They did not indulge in excesses nor were they tainted in any corruption scandal. Tabare Vazquez (two terms) and Jose Mujica (one term) were popular presidents and finished their terms successfully. Mujica, who was a former leftist guerilla leader and was in jail for 14 years during the military dictatorship, did not show any rancour or bitterness. He was balanced and progressive. He refused presidential privileges and lead a simple and austere life. Even as president, he continued to live in his own modest farm house and drove his old Volkswagon Beetle car

I will characterise the result as an anti-incumbent verdict. The Uruguayan voters did the right thing by giving opportunity to the other side after having been ruled by one side for three terms. When one president, party or coalition stays in power for too long, they become complacent or corrupted by power. It is essential to change governments periodically for democracy to remain healthy and vibrant. The Chilean voters have changed their governments from left to right to left to right in the last four elections.

It was not a landslide win for Pou. The margin of victory was just one percent. The election council had to do a careful recount towards the end. But there was no controversy or the loser crying foul.

It is important to note that in the October 2019 elections, the leftist coalition Frente Amplio has won 42 seats as against the 30 seats of Pou's National Party in the Congress. Second point to note, Martinez had got 40% votes as against the 30% got by Pou in the first round.

President Pou is not likely to make any drastic changes in policies or pursue any extremist rightist agenda. He is a seasoned politician and his father was also president of the country. He will follow the Uruguayan tradition of balanced and mature policies.