In early Uruguayan history, Spain, Portugal, and later Brazil and Argentina struggled for control of the area. In 1811, Jose Gervasio Artigas, Uruguay's national hero, launched Uruguay's revolt against Spain and later led an unsuccessful attempt to gain autonomy within a regional federation with Argentina. In 1821, Uruguay was annexed by Brazil; however, in 1825, Uruguayan patriots declared independence from Portuguese rule and, with the support of Argentine troops, defeated Brazilian forces. Independence came in 1828. The new nation's first constitution was adopted July 18, 1830.

Batlle y Ordonez, president from 1903 to 1907 and again from 1911 to 1915, set the pattern for Uruguay's modern political development. He established widespread political, social, and economic reforms, such as an extensive welfare program, government participation in many facets of the economy, and a plural executive. Many of these programs continue today.

In 1973, amid increasing economic and political turmoil, the armed forces closed the Congress and established a civilian- military regime. A new constitution drafted by the military was rejected in a November 1980 plebiscite. Following the plebiscite, the armed forces announced a new plan for return to civilian rule, with national elections scheduled in 1984. Colorado Party leader Julio Maria Sanguinetti won the 1984 presidential election with 31.4% of the vote.

In the 1989 presidential election, Blanco Party leader Luis Alberto Lacalle gained the presidency with 27% of the vote. Since taking office on March 1, 1990, President Lacalle has concentrated on economic and social reform programs. The Lacalle administration is vigorously pursuing budget deficit reduction, foreign debt reduction, privatization of state enterprises, civil service reform, and education and labor reform. To achieve these ambitious goals, the Lacalle administration has sought the legislative cooperation of the Colorado Party by appointing several Colorado Party members to his cabinet. He also has continued the previous government's policies of reserving some directorship positions in the autonomous state entities for opposition parties.

In the 1989 election, the Leftist Broad Front Coalition won the seat of the Intendente (Mayor) of Montevideo. Next to the presidency, this is the most important elective post in the country, as Montevideo contains 44% of the country's population. The Communist Party/Socialist Party/Radical Left coalition hopes to use this 5-year term as a springboard for future electoral gains at the national level.

Uruguay's economic difficulties, and the Lacalle administration's privatization and the labour reform proposals have led to increased tension between the Labour Federation, the PIT-CNT, and the national government. The tempo of labor protest, which had declined after the first year of the Sanguinetti administration, rose with the approach of the 1989 elections and will likely increase in the short-term as the Lacalle administration's economic program progresses through parliament. The Lacalle administration is seeking through new labor legislation to regulate what currently is an almost unlimited right to strike, and to require that strikes be approved by a secret, obligatory vote of the membership.

Source: U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Public Affairs, June 1988.