| José Alberto Mujica Cordano, also known has "El | | | | goes much deeper. |
| Pepe", won the presidency of Uruguay last night in the | | | | From 1972 to 1985, Uruguay was ruled by a |
| second round of voting. In this article, we will look at | | | | dictatorship. Some say that this dictatorship was |
| why he won and why the elections went to a second | | | | brought on by the selfish needs of the governing |
| vote when they should not have. | | | | Colorado party. Others, however, claim that this |
| Uruguay currently has three main political parties: the | | | | dictatorship was a reaction to the terrorist activities of |
| Blancos (or national party), the Colorados, and Frente | | | | a group named the Tuparmaros, of which José |
| Amplio, which in English stands for "wide front". | | | | Mujica was a member. When the dictatorship |
| Historically, there were only the first two parties, the | | | | assumed power, they jailed Mujica for 13 years. |
| Blancos and the Colorados. However, after a | | | | Now, he has returned as President. |
| dictatorship and poor leadership by these parties, | | | | Uruguayans by nature are a fairly moderate people. |
| Frente Amplio was born and won the elections in 2005 | | | | This is why Frente Amplio was able to win the |
| with the candidate and now sitting president Tabaré | | | | elections in 2005. They put forward a moderate |
| Vázquez in 2005. | | | | candidate in Tabaré Vázquez (who is also a |
| Last night, José Mujica won the precedential | | | | practicing oncologist) who shared their ideas of |
| elections in the second round of voting. Since there | | | | progress and benevolence. |
| are three political parties, one party must garner at | | | | Uruguayans want more of this, more Frente Amplio, |
| least 50% of the vote in the first round or there is a | | | | but they spoke their minds in these elections. José |
| run-off--a second-round--one month later to determine | | | | Mujica had precious little competition in this election. |
| who will win the presidency. Last night was this | | | | The Colorado candidate, Pedro Bordaberry, is the son |
| second round and "El Pepe" won, but it should never | | | | of the man who initiated the dictatorship in Uruguay. |
| have reached a second round of voting. | | | | The Blanco candidate, Alberto LaCalle, is said to have |
| The current government of Uruguay under Tabaré | | | | actually robbed the country's asset when he was |
| Vázquez has enjoyed a large amount of success, | | | | president from 1990-1995. And finally, with a 65% |
| both locally and throughout South America, and | | | | approval rating for his party in power, José Mujica |
| currently maintains approval ratings of more than | | | | should have won the first round of voting easily. |
| 65%. Thus, the question that needs to be asked is: | | | | But he did not. The Uruguayan people, who are |
| Why did Frente Amplio not win the elections in the first | | | | required to vote by law or pay a fine, did not allow it. |
| round if they currently have such a high approval | | | | What they essentially said is this: We want more of |
| rating? | | | | the Frente Amplio Party. We like what has been |
| The answer is both simple and complicated. In the | | | | happening in Uruguay. But we want to move on from |
| simplest form, they put forward the wrong candidate. | | | | the past...from both the dictatorship and opposition to |
| However, the reasons that he was the wrong | | | | the dictatorship. We will give "El Pepe" this chance, |
| candidate are complicated. | | | | but he better continue on the current path towards the |
| Many people will tell you that "El Pepe" does not look | | | | future and not look back to our unpleasant past. |
| or appear presidential. Others will tell you his language | | | | Hopefully, voters were reassured in Pepe's victory |
| is crude and that his outlook is backward, not | | | | speech last night when he focused on unity for all |
| forward. These things may all be true. It's difficult to | | | | Uruguayans and a continuation of the current policies |
| imagine him on the world stage with other leaders. | | | | of progress and benevolence. |
| But the truth as to why he was the wrong candidate | | | | |