Uruguay votes for new president; marijuana reform hangs in balance
Uruguay votes for new president; marijuana reform hangs in balance
By Malena Castaldi
MONTEVIDEO Sun Oct 26, 2014 2:00am EDT
Oct 26 (Reuters) - Uruguayans vote on Sunday in a presidential election with the ruling leftist party trying to fend off a young center-right challenger who promises to undo a pioneering marijuana law.
Outgoing President Jose Mujica, a 79-year-old former guerrilla, is seeking to hand power back to his predecessor Tabare Vazquez.
Between them, Mujica and the 74-year-old Vazquez have delivered a decade of strong economic growth while Mujica legalized abortion, gay marriage and the production, distribution and sale of marijuana.
Six months ago, the left-wing Broad Front ruling coalition looked a comfortable favorite to win the presidency for a third five-year term for its blend of pro-market economic policies and social welfare measures.
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http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/10/26/uruguay-election-idUSL6N0SJ5IG20141026?rpc=401