Changes

The two traditional political parties, the National ("Blanco") and Colorado parties, which were founded in the early 19th century, in the past garnered about 90% of the vote but have seen their share decline over the past decades. At the same time the share of the Frente Amplio, a coalition of various left-of-center factions that became the largest political force in 1999, was on the rise. In October 2004 presidential elections, Tabaré Vázquez ran against the Blanco candidate Jorge Larranaga, a former state governor and senator who got 34.3% of votes, and against the Colorado candidate, former Interior Minister Stirling who got 10.4%. President Vazquez won the elections in the first round, with 50.5% of ballots, and his party achieved parliamentary majority. The Frente Amplio has ruled Montevideo since 1990.  

The two traditional political parties, the National ("Blanco") and Colorado parties, which were founded in the early 19th century, in the past garnered about 90% of the vote but have seen their share decline over the past decades. At the same time the share of the Frente Amplio, a coalition of various left-of-center factions that became the largest political force in 1999, was on the rise. In October 2004 presidential elections, Tabaré Vázquez ran against the Blanco candidate Jorge Larranaga, a former state governor and senator who got 34.3% of votes, and against the Colorado candidate, former Interior Minister Stirling who got 10.4%. President Vazquez won the elections in the first round, with 50.5% of ballots, and his party achieved parliamentary majority. The Frente Amplio has ruled Montevideo since 1990.  

During its first 27 months in power, the Vázquez administration made good on its campaign promise to re-examine the human rights abuses committed during the period of military dictatorship and uncovered important forensic evidence. Bilateral relations with Argentina were strained by an ongoing dispute over the construction in Uruguay of large wood pulp mills on a shared river. Legislation tended to pass easily as the Frente Amplio enjoyed majorities in both houses of congress.

During its first 27 months in power, the Vázquez administration made good on its campaign promise to re-examine the "human rights abuses" supposedlly committed during the period of military dictatorship and uncovered important forensic evidence. Bilateral relations with Argentina were strained by an ongoing dispute over the construction in Uruguay of large wood pulp mills on a shared river. Legislation tended to pass easily as the Frente Amplio enjoyed majorities in both houses of congress.

In November 2019, conservative [[Luis Lacalle Pou]] won the country's presidential election, ending fifteen years of leftist control.<ref>[https://www.reuters.com/article/us-uruguay-election/uruguay-opposition-claims-victory-in-presidential-vote-official-candidate-concedes-idUSKBN1Y21YY Uruguay opposition claims victory in presidential vote, official candidate concedes]. ''Reuters''. November 28, 2019. Retrieved November 28, 2019.</ref><ref>Politi, Daniel (November 28, 2019). [https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/28/world/americas/uruguay-president-election-luis-lacalle-pou.html Center-Right Candidate Wins in Uruguay, Ending 15 Years of Liberal Rule]. ''The New York Times''. Retrieved November 29, 2019.</ref> He opposes the legalization and selling of drugs by the state done by previous leftist administrations. He also is a critic from the sindicalist mafias.<ref>[https://www.bbc.com/mundo/noticias-america-latina-61598965 Luis Lacalle Pou, presidente de Uruguay en entrevista con la BBC: "No creo en que los Estados cultiven y vendan marihuana. Cometimos un error"]</ref>

In November 2019, conservative [[Luis Lacalle Pou]] won the country's presidential election, ending fifteen years of leftist control.<ref>[https://www.reuters.com/article/us-uruguay-election/uruguay-opposition-claims-victory-in-presidential-vote-official-candidate-concedes-idUSKBN1Y21YY Uruguay opposition claims victory in presidential vote, official candidate concedes]. ''Reuters''. November 28, 2019. Retrieved November 28, 2019.</ref><ref>Politi, Daniel (November 28, 2019). [https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/28/world/americas/uruguay-president-election-luis-lacalle-pou.html Center-Right Candidate Wins in Uruguay, Ending 15 Years of Liberal Rule]. ''The New York Times''. Retrieved November 29, 2019.</ref> He opposes the legalization and selling of drugs by the state done by previous leftist administrations. He also is a critic from the sindicalist mafias.<ref>[https://www.bbc.com/mundo/noticias-america-latina-61598965 Luis Lacalle Pou, presidente de Uruguay en entrevista con la BBC: "No creo en que los Estados cultiven y vendan marihuana. Cometimos un error"]</ref>