Former guerrilla poised to win Uruguay presidency

By Julio Villaverde

MONTEVIDEO (Reuters) - A straight-talking former guerrilla fighter is expected to win Uruguay's presidency on Sunday, extending the rule of a leftist governing coalition popular with Uruguayans for its handling of the economy.

Polls show Jose Mujica holding a lead of between 6 and 10 percentage points over his rival, centre-right former President Luis Lacalle in the run-off.

Mujica is a 74-year-old former senator who helped wage an urban guerrilla war in an attempt to weaken Uruguay's conservative government during the 1960s and 70s.

If elected, Mujica would succeed President Tabare Vazquez, Uruguay's first socialist leader, who leaves office highly popular after guiding the country out of an economic slump and driving down unemployment despite the global slowdown.

Mujica hailed Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and his government on the campaign trail, signalling he does not intend to draw Uruguay closer to more radical leftists in Latin America led by Venezuela President Hugo Chavez.

Mujica finished first in a first-round presidential vote last month with 47.96 percent, but fell short of the outright majority needed to avoid a run-off. Lacalle took 29.07 percent. The top vote-getter on Sunday will capture the presidency. The winner takes office on March 1.

A public opinion survey published by the Interconsult polling group on Wednesday showed Mujica with 49.6 percent support of Uruguayans, compared to 42.1 percent for Lacalle.

Voting is compulsory in Uruguay.