| Uruguay |
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The Politics of Uruguay abide by a presidential representative democratic republic, under which the President of Uruguay is both the head of state and the head of government, as well as a multiform party system. The president exercises executive power and Legislative power is vested in the two chambers of the General Assembly of Uruguay. The Judiciary branch is independent from that of the executive and legislature.
The Colorado and National parties have been locked in a power struggle, with the predominance of the Colorado party throughout most of Uruguay's history. The elections of 2004, however, brought the Encuentro Progresista-Frente Amplio-Nueva Mayoría, a coalition of socialists, former Tupamaros, communists, social democrats, and Christian Democrats among others to power with majorities in both houses of parliament. A majority vote elected President Tabaré Vázquez.
In 2009, the Broad Front once again won the elections with a plurality of the votes. A presidential runoff was triggered because their candidate, José Mujica, only received 47.96 precent of the vote. The Broad Front's candidate easily beat Luis Alberto Lacalle of the Nacional Party) in second round of voting. In addition to the presidency, the Broad Front won a simple majority in the Uruguayan Senate and Congress.
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Uruguay adopted its first constitution in 1830, following the conclusion of a three year war in which Argentina and Uruguay fought as a regional federation: the United Provinces of Río de la Plata. Sponsored by the United Kingdom, the 1828 Treaty of Montevideo built the foundations for a Uruguayan state and constitution. Attempts to reform the 1830 constitution in 1966 led to the adoption of an entirely new document in 1967. A constitution proposed under a military revolution in 1980 was rejected by a vote of the entire electorate.
Uruguay's Constitution of 1967 created a strong presidency, subject to legislative and judicial balance. Many of these provisions were suspended in 1973 but reestablished in 1985. The president, who is both the head of state and the head of government, is elected by popular vote for a five-year term, with the vice president elected on the same ticket. Thirteen cabinet ministers, appointed by the president, head various executive departments.
The General Assembly (Asamblea General) has two chambers. The Chamber of Deputies (Cámara de Diputados) has 99 members, elected for a five year term by proportional representation. The Chamber of Senators (Cámara de Senadores) has 31 members; 30 members are elected for a five year term by proportional representation and the Vice-president who presides over it.
The Supreme Court is the highest court. Its judges are elected for 10-year terms by the General Assembly. Below the Supreme Court are appellate and lower courts, as well as justices of the peace. There are also electoral courts and administrative ("contentious") courts, an accounts court, and a military justice system.
The Uruguayan constitution allows citizens to challenge laws approved by Parliament by use of a referendum or to propose changes to the Constitution by the use of a plebiscite.
| Candidates (Parties) | First round | Runoff | Result | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Votes | % | Votes | % | ||
| José Mujica (Broad Front) | 1,105,262 | 47.96 | 1,197,638 | 52.39 | President |
| Luis Alberto Lacalle (National Party) | 669,942 | 29.07 | 994,510 | 43.51 | |
| Pedro Bordaberry (Colorado Party) | 392,307 | 17.02 | |||
| Pablo Mieres (Independent Party) | 57,360 | 2.49 | |||
| Raúl Rodríguez (Popular Assembly) | 15,428 | 0.67 | |||
| Ballots with YES sheets only (no presidential vote cast) | 14,410 | 0.63 | |||
| Blank votes | 22,828 | 0.99 | 53,100 | 2.32 | |
| Total null ballots | 26,950 | 1.17 | 40,103 | 1.75 | |
| Null provisional ballots | 199 | 0.01 | 607 | 0.02 | |
| Total votes cast | 2,304,686 | 100.00 | 2,285,958 | 100.00 | |
| Registered voters | 2,563,250 | 89.91% turnout | 2,563,285 | 89.18% turnout | |
| Source: Corte Electoral (first round), El Dictamen (runoff) | |||||
| Parties | Votes | % | Seats | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chamber of Deputies |
Senate | |||
| Broad Front | 1,093,869 | 47.49 | 50 | 16 |
| National Party | 657,327 | 28.54 | 30 | 9 |
| Colorado Party | 383,912 | 16.67 | 17 | 5 |
| Independent Party | 56,156 | 2.44 | 2 | — |
| Popular Assembly | 15,166 | 0.66 | — | — |
| Total | 2,303,336 | 100.00 | ||
| Registered voters | 2,563,250 | 89.86% turnout | ||
| Source: Corte Electoral | ||||
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Uruguay or Uruguayan organizations participate in the following international organizations:
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