When Tabaré Vázquez took office in March 2005, it was a triumphant moment for Uruguay’s left. Supporters waving flags of Che Guevara and the golden hammer and sickle of the Soviet Union danced along the 18 of July, the main avenue, while young and old alike clenched their fists and shouted at the top of their voices into the warm afternoon air.
But for all the euphoria it was clear that Mr Vázquez, a doctor who had twice before tried and failed to reach the presidency, would have to use all his political skill to keep his Broad Front coalition together. Indeed, some political analysts at the time predicted that the coalition of 21 parties, ranging from centre left to extreme left and including communists and even former guerrillas, would soon fall apart.
