The article analyzes the result of the Uruguayan elections held in October 2004, establishes its causes and evaluates its main consequences on the political system. Particularly the article points out that the elections showed the greatest volatility in Uruguayan history, a strong reduction of the party systemfragmentation, and the formation of a majority government for the first time in almost forty years. On that base, the article also analyzes the instítutional and political features of the leftist govemment, taking into account additionally, the strong presidential powers, the legislative discipline of the govemmental party,and its ideological dispersion.