Story highlights Tabaré Vazquez wins Uruguay's presidential vote

The leftist leader's win means the country's social policies will likely continue

Vazquez has said he'll enforce the new law legalizing the marijuana market

His opponent had vowed to repeal parts of the controversial legislation

(CNN) Uruguay's politicians who led the charge to legalize marijuana and same-sex marriage appeared to win another ringing endorsement from voters in the South American country Sunday.

The country's electoral court announced that Tabaré Vazquez of the left-wing Broad Front coalition won the presidential runoff with about 53% of the votes. Candidate Luis Lacalle Pou of the conservative National Party told supporters Sunday evening that he had conceded to Vazquez and wished him well, as exit polls predicted defeat. He garnered about 40% of the vote.

Vazquez's victory gives Uruguay a third consecutive five-year term with a leftist leader at the helm.

President Jose "Pepe" Mujica -- a former Marxist guerrilla who donates the majority of his salary, drives a 1987 Volkswagen Beetle and sells flowers with his wife at their home -- leaves office next year.

Vazquez, a 74-year-old oncologist, was Uruguay's President from 2005 to 2010.

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