Uruguay chooses presidential contenders as left gains ground

Uruguayans on Sunday chose the presidential contenders who will contest October elections, as opinion polls show the left-wing opposition edging ahead with voters concerned about public safety and rising inequality.
Early primary election results showed Yamandu Orsi, mayor of Uruguay’s second-largest region, had won the main left-wing opposition’s primary election, topping challenger Carolina Cosse, mayor of the capital Montevideo.
The main force within the incumbent center-right coalition government will be represented by Alvaro Delgado, Sunday’s results showed.
Whoever wins in general elections scheduled for Oct. 27, or more likely in a November runoff, will need to bring down high homicide rates, improve the social safety net, balance trade with major partner China and keep on track an economy that is expected to grow nearly 4% this year.