(C/NF) URUGUAY PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION POLITICS

C O N F I D E N T I A L STATE 074796

NOFORN
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/17/2034
TAGS: PINR PGOV UY
SUBJECT: (C/NF) URUGUAY PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION POLITICS
(C-AL9-01505)

REF: A. MONTEVIDEO 000353

B. MONTEVIDEO 000331

C. MONTEVIDEO 000319

Classified By: MICHAEL OWENS, ACTING DIR, INR/OPS. REASON: 1.4(C).


1. (C/NF) SENIOR POLICYMAKERS ARE INTERESTED IN POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS IN URUGUAY IN LIGHT OF RECENT PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY ELECTIONS. WASHINGTON ANALYSTS APPRECIATE REPORTING TO DATE ON DOMESTIC POLITICAL EVENTS AND PRIMARY CAMPAIGN COVERAGE. ANALYSTS HAVE FOUND RECENT CABLES ON THE PRIMARY ELECTIONS, CANDIDATES, AND THE CURRENT DOMESTIC POLITICAL SITUATION HIGHLY INSIGHTFUL. ANALYSTS ARE ASSESSING THE
IMPACT OF THE ELECTIONS, AS WELL AS MONITORING THE LAST FEW MONTHS OF THE VASQUEZ ADMINISTRATION AND WOULD APPRECIATE REPORTING ON THE QUESTIONS BELOW, AS TIME AND RESOURCES PERMIT.


A. (U) HAVE ANY OF THE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES COMMENTED PRIVATELY ON WHETHER THEY FEEL PARTICULAR AFFINITIES FOR, OR ARE LIKELY TO EMULATE ANY OTHER ADMINISTRATIONS IN THE REGION?


B. (C/NF) HOW DOES PRESIDENT TABARE VASQUEZ PLAN TO SHORE UP SUPPORT FOR HIS BROAD FRONT COALITION IN HIS LAST FEW MONTHS IN OFFICE? WHAT HAS VASQUEZ SAID PRIVATELY ABOUT THE PRIMARY ELECTION RESULTS AND MUJICA'S WIN OVER DANILO ASTORI? HAS HE IMPLIED HE MIGHT MAKE MORE CABINET CHANGES?


C. (C/NF) TO WHAT EXTENT DO CAMPAIGN AND/OR POLITICAL
INSIDERS EXPECT MUJICA TO EMBRACE A POPULIST IDEOLOGY OR SHIFT TOWARD A RADICAL-LEFT AGENDA IF HE WERE ELECTED?


2. (U) PLEASE CITE C-AL9-01505 IN THE SUBJECT LINE OF REPORTING IN RESPONSE TO THE ABOVE QUESTIONS.
CLINTON