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Vázquez Soars as Term Wanes in Uruguay
(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Uruguayan president Tabaré Vázquez has become more popular as his tenure draws to a close, according to a poll by Equipos Mori. 61 per cent of respondents approve of his performance, up eight points since March.
Vázquez—nominee for the leftist Progressive Encounter (EP)—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 Red Party (PC) and the National Party-Whites (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.
Uruguay will hold presidential and legislative elections on Oct. 25. Vázquez is barred by the constitution from seeking a consecutive term, but could run for president in the 2014 ballot. During his term in office, Vázquez has refused calls to introduce a constitutional amendment that would allow him to run in this year’s ballot.
In late June, Uruguay’s four main political parties held a non-mandatory primary ballot to select their presidential candidates. Senator José Mujica secured the nomination for the EP-FA, former president Luis Alberto Lacalle won the PN-B nod, Pedro Bordaberry will run for the PC, and Pablo Mieres will be the contender for the Independent Party (PI).
On Sept. 30, Vázquez discussed his tenure, saying, "The country has a respectable image, honours its debts and complies with its obligations, and has clear and established rules. (...) We want foreign investors to come to this country, but to place their money in the production sector, which is the one that generates decent job opportunities for the people."
Polling Data
Do you approve or disapprove of Tabaré Vázquez’s performance as president?
|
|
Aug. 2009 |
Mar. 2009 |
Feb. 2008 |
|
Approve |
61% |
53% |
45% |
|
Disapprove |
22% |
22% |
20% |
Source: Equipos MORI
Methodology: Interviews with 900 Uruguayan adults, conducted from Aug. 19 to Aug. 26, 2009. No margin of error was provided.