[20191209]IN11206_乌拉圭2019年选举.pdf

CRS INSIGHT Prepared for Members and Committees of Congress INSIGHTINSIGHTi i Uruguays 2019 Elections Peter J. Meyer Specialist in Latin American Affairs Angel Carrasquillo Benoit Research Associate December 9, 2019 On November 24, 2019, Uruguayans narrowly elected Luis Lacalle Pou of the center-right National Party in a presidential runoff election. Lacalle Pous inauguration, scheduled for March 1, 2020, will end the center-left Broad Front coalitions 15-year hold on power and could usher in several changes to Uruguays economic and security policies. The new government is also likely to align more closely with the United States on some foreign policy issues, such as efforts, supported by Congress, to facilitate the restoration of democracy in Venezuela. Domestic Context As much of the Latin American region has struggled in recent years with recessions and mass protests, Uruguay has remained a bastion of relative stability. The center-left Broad Front has held the presidency and majorities in both houses of the Uruguayan General Assembly since 2005. In office, the Broad Front has adhered to orthodox macroeconomic policies while expanding social welfare programs, making the tax syst