By Daniel Roselli. We review the most important events that took place during the day and night of Sunday, June 30, in the framework of the internal elections of the Uruguayan political parties. The consolidation of the modern right between the Blancos and Colorados and a strengthened Frente Amplio are the main highlights that occurred, beyond the proclamation of Valeria Ripoll, former communist and unionist, as candidate for vice president for the National Party.
Tranquility and participation. An atypical Sunday, with an electoral atmosphere around the racetracks, set in quiet cities. Almost 37% of the vote is a very good percentage of participation, even more so if compared to the international level.
Not mandatory. It is worth remembering that internal elections are not mandatory. This is the case in almost all of the world. Mandatory elections apply in South America, in Argentina, with the PASO.
The delay. The decision taken by Álvaro Delgado to soften a decision that would have consequences (and that is what actually happened), when defining the presidential formula. When Delgado was still in the meeting, Ripoll’s name had already been circulating in WhatsApp groups.
Ripoll, the surprise. It is a real surprise that the white candidate, Álvaro Delgado, has chosen Valeria Ripoll as a member of the presidential formula that he will present in the October elections.
Ripoll, the surprise 2. It would seem that the important thing for candidate Álvaro Delgado and his electoral team is to win the elections. And if he does – because he has a good chance – the vice president and alternative president will be Valeria Ripoll. Let’s say that it is at least surprising.
The MPP. Yamandú Orsi’s victory in the Frente Amplio internal elections has several explanations. One of them, and perhaps the strongest, is the unrestricted support of the Popular Participation Movement (MPP). In the department of Colonia, this was also consolidated in the figure of Nicolás Viera, who was the most voted candidate and leader of the Frente Amplio. It is true that José Mujica’s speech and all his imprint were present. Today the Popular Participation Movement is the main force of the Frente Amplio, which in turn is the main political force in the country.
Raffo. When Laura Raffo launched her candidacy last year, she believed that she would have a good vote in the internal elections in June and would consolidate an alternative block within the National Party. None of this happened, her meager vote of 18% of the votes left her relegated and the decisions were exclusively in the hands of Álvaro Delgado and Lacallismo. In any case, with a long face and a frozen smile, she stood firm around the table of the Honorable Board of the National Party, while she watched the decisions pass by.
Strengthened. With a very good vote, the Frente Amplio emerged strengthened in these internal elections. 410,282 votes position it as the first political force in the country. By an unchallengeable majority, the Frente Amplio members elected Yamandú Orsi in first place, who has a more conciliatory spirit and discourse, instead of Carolina Cosse, who appears with a more professional rigor and vindication of the historical banners of the Uruguayan left.
Colorado or coalition? What will be most important for Andrés Ojeda, on a scale that measures his most cherished interests?: 1) That the Colorado Party increases its vote. 2) That the Frente Amplio loses the government. 3) That Álvaro Delgado becomes president of the Republic.
Orsi. The most voted pre-candidate of the Frente Amplio was Yamandú Orsi. With 242,625 votes, he is the chosen candidate. His speech, after the result was known, was directed to the Frente Amplio supporters, with the intention of going out now to seek the vote of all Uruguayans.
Without breaking a sweat. In the department of Colonia, the victory, without a doubt, was taken by the lists that supported Guillermo Rodríguez, current general secretary of the Colonia Municipality, one of the political heirs of the current mayor Carlos Moreira.
Of rights. With Álvaro Delgado in the Lacallist or Herrerist camp and Álvaro Ojeda as leader of the Colorado Party, our country is witnessing the emergence of the new right, a phenomenon that is sweeping the world. The Batllist options within the Colorado Party or the Wilsonist options within the National Party were relegated to ideological or historical expressions and do not have the support of the citizens.
The candidates. Carolina Cosse, Carolina Ache and Laura Raffo did not obtain the necessary support for our country to have a female candidate in the national elections in October. Cosse undoubtedly maintained her position in the polls and her political image was not affected. She took good care of the space she had gained. The same cannot be said of Raffo and Ache, who were politically battered.
Colorados. The Colorado Party obtained the lowest vote in its history, since internal elections have been held. The leadership of the historic Uruguayan party has taken the wrong path and having become the “younger brother” of the National Party has left it far from being an option for power. Its current leader, who emerged from the polls on June 30, Álvaro Ojeda, believes that he embodies the “renewal of the party,” but that his objective “is for the Frente Amplio to lose.” It does not sound like a speech from José Batlle’s former party.
Coalition or parties. The political parties are fading away despite the speeches. Blancos, Colorados, Cabildantes or Independents will compete against each other in the October elections, but with a hint of the November runoff and the May departmental elections, where the Frente Amplio will triumph. With this, the political parties are blurred and ideologies are reaffirmed, although many deny it. The right wing of Cabildo Abierto with its dark past in the military dictatorship will not be an option, nor will the centrists of Pablo Mieres and his Independent Party. The modern right wing, led by Álvaro Delgado and Andrés Ojeda, is preparing itself as an option for Uruguayans.
