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Left-Wing Coalition Stays Strong in Uruguay

July 18, 2008

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Uruguay’s governing coalition of left-leaning parties is favoured by most residents of the South American country’s capital, according to a poll by Claeh. 58.9 per cent of respondents in Montevideo would vote for the Progressive Encounter - Broad Front (EP-FA) in the next election.

The conservative National Party-Whites (PN-B) is second with 35.7 per cent, followed by the Red Party (PC) with 4.2 per cent, and the Independent Party (PI) with 1.2 per cent.

Tabaré Vázquez—nominee for the EP-FA—won the October 2004 election with 50.45 per cent of the vote, becoming the first Uruguayan president to represent a political organization other than the PC and the PN-B.

The president officially took over in March 2005, and began his government with majorities in the Chamber of Deputies—with 52 lawmakers in the 99-seat lower house—and the Chamber of Senators—with 18 legislators in the 31-seat upper house.

On Jul. 14, Vázquez signed the "Return Law", which will allows Uruguayans living abroad to move back home with all of their possessions, including their cars. Nelson Fernández, secretary general of the Foreign Ministry, explained the importance of the new legislation, saying, "There are many Uruguayan ‘brains’ abroad that we want moving back here."

Polling Data

If the presidential and parliamentary elections took place this Sunday, which party would you vote for?

Progressive Encounter - Broad Front (EP-FA)

58.9%

National Party-Whites (PN-B)

35.7%

Red Party (PC)

4.2%

Independent Party (PI)

1.2%

Source: Centro Latinoamericano de Economía Humana (Claeh)
Methodology: Interviews with 800 Uruguayan adults in Montevideo, conducted from May 23 to Jun. 6, 2008. Margin of error is 3.5 per cent.