Montevideo, Uruguay - A presidential election in Uruguay on Sunday is too close to call with polls suggesting a run-off vote may be needed to bring the South American country's next leader into office.
As Uruguay goes to the polls to decide who will replace President Jose Mujica, Al Jazeera asked residents in the capital Montevideo who they're voting for and why. A third contender, Pedro Bordaberry, represents the right-wing Colorado party. A run-off between Vazquez and Lacalle Pou has been predicted. Ideologically, I identify more with the Partido Nacional. I don't agree with how the last two Frente Amplio governments spent money. The government should prioritise education, infrastructure and public safety.
Also health - the hospitals are very poorly maintained. I'm from the interior of the country and it takes two months to get a doctor's appointment. Overall, I disagree with the way they spend money. I'm voting for the Frente Amplio. My whole life I've voted for them. Because of my age, it's easy to understand why I support them.
With other parties in power I've gone hungry, and there was a lack of jobs. I'm voting for the Colorado party. For me, Batlle was a man who changed the country. The important issues to me are education and safety. I am a lifelong supporter. They've done a lot of important and good things. They've really improved the economy and they legalised abortion and same-sex marriage. At this moment, Frente Amplio is the best. Education is the issue that's most important to me because through education comes security and mutual understanding.
_(cropped).jpg "Prostitutes in Jose Batlle y Ordonez")
Without it, we'll never understand each other. They've created a good government, and I don't want the things that the other parties promote. We had that for many years and it wasn ' t good. But Frente Amplio has been good for the last 10 years and I want continuity. Issues that still need to be addressed are housing and health, both of which need to be more accessible for everyone. Education also needs improvement, especially early childhood education, which is very important.
