Weekly Report - 19 September 2019 (WR-19-37)

The electoral fortunes of Daniel Martínez, the presidential candidate of Uruguay’s ruling left-wing Frente Amplio (FA) coalition, appear to be reviving in line with the rapidly fading prospects of Argentina’s President Mauricio Macri, who will contest elections on the same day. Martínez has drawn a direct parallel between his “inexperienced” and “over-confident” rivals and Macri, implying that Uruguay could get a taste of Argentina’s economic and financial debacle if voters opt for an untested leader. The message seems to have struck a chord with some voters as Martínez has pulled clear in the polls, but he remains well short of the 50% plus one target needed to triumph in the first round on 27 October, and the FA looks set to lose its majority in both chambers of congress.