By BRUNO FABRICIO ALCEBINO DA SILVA*
Uruguay becomes a laboratory for social experimentation, a model for Latin America
On the 13th, while I was walking along Avenida 18 de Julio in Montevideo, heading to the Tristán Narvaja fair — the largest and most traditional in the country, which takes place every Sunday —, an emblematic scene caught my attention. Near the Faculty of Law of the University of the Republic, the stalls of the main political parties were side by side, distributing pamphlets and debating proposals with passers-by. The atmosphere was polarized, but, curiously, marked by an unusual calm for such heated electoral periods.
We are on the eve of the presidential and legislative elections of October 27, 2024. And, although the dispute for the presidency between the candidates Álvaro Delgado, from the National Party (Blanco), Yamandú Orsi, from the Broad Front, and Andrés Ojeda, from the Colorado Party, is heated, the electoral process remains peaceful. This atmosphere of respect contrasts sharply with the tensions that permeate municipal elections in Brazil, especially in São Paulo, where clashes between candidates and activists have generated episodes of violence and aggressive polarization.
This mutual respect in Uruguayan elections reflects the maturity of a democracy that has undergone profound transformations in the last two decades. The landmark of this progressive shift was the rise of the Broad Front to power in 2005, breaking with the long alternation between the National Party and the Colorado Party, which had dominated the country’s politics for more than a century.
The arrival of the Broad Front in government did not represent just a change of acronyms in power, but the beginning of a new political cycle, in which social policies, civil rights and inclusion began to occupy the center of the agenda. Among these transformations, the legalization of abortion, the regulation of cannabis and equal marriage, in addition to a strong income redistribution policy, which helped to reduce poverty and inequality in the country.
However, this shift was not immediate nor without challenges. The Broad Front coalition, which brings together different left-wing currents, had to deal with internal tensions and opposition from traditional parties. The administration of Tabaré Vázquez (2005-2010), which inaugurated this era, was followed by the presidency of Pepe Mujica (2010-2015), whose charismatic leadership and focus on social and environmental issues internationalized Uruguay’s image as a progressive nation. Pepe Mujica, a former Tupamaro guerrilla, promoted a policy of dialogue and inclusion, which was consolidated with civil rights reforms, earning global recognition for his humble stance and his policies focused on social welfare.
The transition from Pepe Mujica to Vázquez’s second term and then to the presidency of Luis Lacalle Pou of the National Party in 2019 signaled a new phase of alternation in power. Lacalle Pou, representing the Republican Coalition, made up of the National Party, the Colorado Party, the Cabildo Abierto, and other smaller parties, brought a center-right government whose platform focused on economic reforms, public security, and a shift away from the FA’s more expansive social policies.
However, the 2024 election shows that the cycle of progressive policies may be far from over. According to the latest FACTUM National Survey, held between September 28 and October 6, the Broad Front maintains a solid lead, with 44% of voting intentions, while the National Party fell to 24%, its lowest point since the internal elections, and the Colorado Party registered a slight increase, with 17%. These figures reflect a scenario of reconfiguration of power, where the Broad Front not only regained ground, but also expanded its support, indicating that the Uruguayan electorate is still inclined to bet on the model of a strong and inclusive State proposed by the left-wing coalition.
The stability of the Broad Front in the polls, combined with the fragmentation of the right-wing coalition, suggests that progressive reforms continue to resonate with voters, especially on issues of civil rights, income distribution and social protection. The growth of the Broad Front compared to the 2019 electoral cycle, when it obtained 39% of the vote, also reflects a movement of criticism towards the National Party’s management, especially in its handling of the pandemic and public security, two issues that dominated Lacalle Pou’s term.
Furthermore, FACTUM points to a drop in voting intentions for the Cabildo Abierto Party, which fell from 11% in 2019 to 4% in 2024, revealing the dissatisfaction of part of the electorate with the right-wing coalition. The fragmentation of the conservative base, combined with the growth of emerging parties such as Identidad Soberana, indicates that the 2024 scenario will be marked by intense competition in the second round, if the Frente Amplio fails to win in the first round.
On the other hand, it is important to highlight that, despite this growing polarization, Uruguay continues to stand out for the peaceful nature of its electoral process. Unlike many of its neighbors in Latin America, the country maintains a political culture of respect and dialogue, where differences are expressed at the ballot box and not in the streets. Electoral pacification, a hallmark of Uruguayan democracy, ensures that, regardless of the result, the process will be conducted calmly and with trust in the institutions.
Uruguay’s democratic stability and high political competitiveness are largely the result of an active civil society and a long tradition of political participation. Walking down Avenida 18 de Julio, one gets the impression that, despite the changes and crises, the country has managed to build a political culture that values debate and inclusion, elements that were central to the success of the progressive turnaround and continue to shape Uruguay’s future.
Thus, the 2024 election will be yet another chapter in this journey. If the Broad Front wins, as current polls indicate, the challenge will be to maintain unity within its coalition and respond to the demands of an increasingly diverse electorate. If the right manages to reverse the trend and regain power, Uruguay will face a new cycle of adjustments, possibly more in line with the liberal policies promoted by Lacalle Pou and his allies. In any case, the country remains firm on its democratic journey, offering the world an example of how alternation of power can coexist with stability and social progress.
The historical context and the crisis of traditional parties
To understand the rise of the Broad Front, it is essential to contextualize the Uruguayan political scenario in previous decades. Since the beginning of the 1836th century, the country has been dominated by two traditional parties: the National Party (XNUMX), also known as “Blanco”, and the Colorado Party (1836), which alternated in power. These political forces represented factions historically linked to the country's rural and urban elite, but over time, their support bases fragmented, especially as new social demands emerged and the liberal economic model faced its limitations.
The 2002 economic crisis, one of the most critical moments in Uruguay’s recent history, was the catalyst for a reassessment of the role of traditional parties. The collapse of the financial system brought the country to the brink of economic chaos, and the government’s response was widely perceived as inadequate. The middle and popular sectors, which suffered the greatest impact, began to seek political alternatives outside the conservative axis. It was in this context that the Frente Amplio, a left-wing coalition founded in 1971, before the civil-military dictatorship (1973-1985), but marginalized for much of its existence, began to gain strength.
The victory of the Frente Amplio in the 2004 presidential elections, led by Tabaré Vázquez, was the inaugural milestone of the progressive turn in Uruguay. The Frente Amplio represented a diverse coalition, composed of socialists, communists, Christian Democrats, sectors of the trade union movement and new social movements, forming a political base distinct from the traditional Nacional and Colorado parties. This rise, however, was not an abrupt break with the past, but the result of a slow and continuous reorganization of the Uruguayan political landscape, reflecting popular demands for social and economic reforms.
The Broad Front Era: achievements and limitations
During the Frente Amplio government (2005-2020), Uruguay implemented a series of reforms that made it an example of progress in Latin America. Under the leadership of Tabaré Vázquez and, later, Pepe Mujica, the governing coalition promoted innovative policies in areas such as education, health, and civil rights, in addition to modernizing the economy, expanding the social safety net, and consolidating participatory democracy.
One of the most notable reforms was the legalization of abortion in 2012, one of the first in Latin America, which put Uruguay at the forefront of reproductive rights. In addition, the legalization of same-sex marriage and the decriminalization of marijuana solidified the country as a bastion of civil rights and individual freedoms in the region. These progressive policies were widely supported by a population that historically valued equality and individual freedom, but they also faced resistance from more conservative sectors of society, including members of traditional parties and the Catholic Church.
From an economic point of view, the Broad Front government stood out for reducing poverty and inequality, with the creation of social programs such as Equity Plan and the expansion of income transfer policies. In addition, the government managed to maintain macroeconomic stability, even in the face of regional fluctuations, and sought to diversify the economy, investing in new areas such as technology and innovation.
However, economic growth slowed in the last years of Tabaré Vázquez's government, which generated discontent in some areas, especially among young people and popular sectors who felt marginalized by the crisis.
The end of hegemony?
In 2019, after 15 years of hegemony by the Broad Front, the National Party, with candidate Luis Lacalle Pou, won the presidency, marking the return of the right to power. Lacalle Pou’s triumph represented a shift in the country’s political mood, driven by a combination of factors, including voter fatigue with the Broad Front’s long tenure in government, the economic slowdown, and growing concerns about public safety.
Lacalle Pou's government is pursuing a liberal agenda that contrasts with the statist model of the Frente Amplio, implementing reforms that seek to reduce the role of the state in the economy, promote labor flexibility, and attract foreign investment. These changes are seen as necessary by many business sectors, but they have also sparked resistance, especially among unions and social movements, who see them as a threat to the rights won during progressive governments.
The future of the progressive turn
Uruguay’s progressive turn is not just a transitional phase; it is a movement that redefines the possibilities for a more inclusive and just future. As the country moves forward, the seeds planted in recent decades are beginning to germinate into innovative forms of governance and citizen participation. The legacy of the Frente Amplio, with its bold social policies, is a testament to the fact that a new paradigm is possible, challenging narratives of apathy and stagnation that often permeate political discourse.
As Uruguay approaches elections, the future of the progressive turnaround is a promise rooted in the continuity of achievements and the courage to face new challenges. The electoral contest is not just a fight for seats in Parliament and/or the Presidency, but a reflection of the aspirations of a society that yearns for a future that respects diversity, values human rights and promotes sustainability. Polarization, although evident, brings with it the vitality of a democratic debate, where the voices of youth, social movements and marginalized communities emerge with renewed strength.
The candidates running in the election do not simply represent their parties; they are symbols of the hopes and uncertainties of a nation that has already traveled a tortuous path. Álvaro Delgado, Yamandú Orsi and Andrés Ojeda, each in their own way, must confront not only the past, but also the expectations of a future that cannot be conformed to the old practices of exclusion and inequality. The continuity of progressive policies must be accompanied by a keen eye for innovation, embracing technology and the new forms of social organization that are shaping the world.
The future of the progressive turn lies in the ability to articulate a collective vision, where politics is not an arena of competition, but a space for joint construction. The era of single solutions and simplistic responses must give way to a plural dialogue, capable of incorporating the multiple voices that make up Uruguay’s rich social complex.
In this context, Uruguay becomes a laboratory for social experimentation, a model for Latin America. What we see is a Uruguay in constant evolution, which learns from the past but does not cling to it. The progressive turn, therefore, is an invitation to everyone—governors, citizens, young and old—to dream together and act in a cohesive manner. The future, illuminated by these aspirations, is a call to action, hope and transformation. What is at stake is not only the fate of a country, but the affirmation that a better world is, indeed, possible.
*Bruno Fabricio Alcebino da Silva He is majoring in International Relations and Economic Sciences at the Federal University of ABC (UFABC).
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