The appeal of 90-year-old former left-wing president José Pepe Mujica, who campaigned for the centre-left candidate with all his might and limped to his polling station yesterday, proved more decisive than the centre-right parties’ call to support moderate centre-right candidate Álvaro Delgado, who was defeated in the first round.
Thus Yamandu Orsi (candidate of the Frente Amplio), a protégé of Mujica, although he undoubtedly lacks his charisma, emerged victorious over Delgado to become the next president of Uruguay.
Orsi, a former history teacher at the helm of a vast and diverse centre-left coalition (the Frente Amplio, or the ‘Broad Front’), won 52.3% to Delgado’s 47.97% (National Party), whose 27% in the first round, plus the Partido Colorado’s 17% and the votes of other minor right-wing candidates, were not sufficient to secure victory.
Orsi succeeds moderate president Luis Lacalle Pou (Uruguay has no provision in place allowing a president to serve two consecutive terms), who likewise polled high in the popular vote but was unable to pass the torch to his heir apparent. Something similar had happened in reverse five years earlier, when the National Party ended 15 years of left-wing leadership.
In this round of elections, however,
the ‘small’ Uruguay (less than three million inhabitants, more than half of whom live in the metropolitan area of Montevideo) has once again demonstrated that it is in many ways a fortunate exception compared to South America’s wider politically turbulent context,
characterised, especially in recent years, by a very high degree of political and social polarisation, which has often favoured the extremist wings of the various political parties, while institutional and democratic life has become increasingly fragile. In contrast, Uruguay’s democracy remained healthy, and the centre-left and centre-right’s more moderate factions prevailed in their respective coalitions. Orsi himself has a reputation as a mediator and is well removed from radical views.
This is an exceptional case within the context of the Latin American scenario. The Church of Uruguay regards this trend favourably, although not without some concerns, such as the increase in poverty. Cardinal Daniel Sturla, Archbishop of Montevideo, told SIR that Uruguay “is an exceptional case within South America, given its well-established democracy and transparent electoral processes, which are accepted as such across the political spectrum. In this regard, there is complete confidence. At the same time, despite the emergence of a degree of ‘physiological’ polarisation in the recent runoff elections, both candidates exhibited cordiality in their interactions during face-to-face debates. Additionally, demonstrations by activists from both camps simultaneously occurred in Montevideo. They were conducted in an atmosphere of respect and proceeded peacefully. I view this as exemplifying effective coexistence and transparency in the electoral process.”
The archbishop hopes that politics will continue to focus on the common good over the next five years.
“One of the characteristics of Uruguay is the low degree of corruption”, the cardinal explained. “The main political actors are believed to be motivated not by personal interests, but by a concern for the common good. Of course, there are differences between the various political actors, and this time too, each has a different vision. In this case, Álvaro Delgado, who represented the ruling party for the last five years, had a clear centre-right position. Orsi’s coalition, on the other hand, includes radical positions, such as those of the Communist Party, which may not have a high percentage of votes, but plays a very important role. In any case, there is widespread agreement that both candidates were committed to the promotion of the common good and that each candidate shared a determination to assist the 9% of the population living below the poverty line”. It must be said that this situation is of great concern because “although the percentage of people living in poverty is significantly lower than in the rest of Latin America, these are the hard-core poor, whose situation can be improved not only by economic choices, but also by a cultural leap. The issue of education is also one that the government will have to tackle.”
A “small” Church actively present in society. As well as being the most stable country in the area with regard to democratic life, Uruguay is also known for its high level of secularisation and, historically, for the remarkable secularism of its institutions.
In the view of Card. Sturla, the Church is nevertheless a significant protagonist present in society, whose voice is attentively listened to by the political world: “We know that our Church is poor, free, small and beautiful.”
In any case, the Church “proclaims Christ,” with an active presence in the various domains that shape the nation, including education, both formal and informal. In the latter sphere, this is done in collaboration with the state, through non-governmental organisations (NGOs) that are dedicated to the prevention and reduction of tensions in the most impoverished neighbourhoods of Montevideo. This is achieved through the implementation of state programmes that are entrusted to private organisations. Additionally, there is a direct focus on the most disadvantaged, the poorest, the homeless, human trafficking. Furthermore, Catholics are present in various sectors of society.”
The Church gives her contribution to the country but, as we all know, “the Church is called first and foremost to announce the Good News, the salvation given to us by Christ, and in this respect there are still communication problems. This is a great challenge for the Church. We are called to proclaim that Christ radically transforms and saves our lives. We have sometimes seen that the Evangelicals, although they are not very numerous in Uruguay, offer a ‘warmer, more effective’ proclamation, but the Catholic Church of Uruguay, also here in Montevideo, is deeply committed to proclaiming Christ in parishes, in neighbourhoods, in many different contexts, with deeply committed lay faithful, to bring the Good News especially to the homeless, to those released from prison, in pastoral care for the prevention and treatment of addictions. We have set up a hospice for the terminally ill, we are involved in housing concerns. We have invited all the candidates for the presidency to see our projects, we have expressed our requests and concerns, and they have been very well received.
We are in favour of dialogue with everyone and we will continue to do so with the new government.”
(*) journalist at “La vita del popolo”
