Uruguay has elected Yamandú Orsi, the left-wing candidate of the Frente Amplio (Broad Front) coalition, as its next President, ending five years of conservative rule.
The official results confirmed Orsi’s victory in a tightly contested runoff election held on Sunday, November 24, 2024.
Orsi, who campaigned on a platform of unity and dialogue, secured 49.8% of the vote against 45.9% for Alvaro Delgado of the center-right National Party.
In his victory speech, Orsi promised to lead a government that seeks national consensus. “I will call again and again for dialogue to find the best solutions,” he told supporters in the capital, Montevideo.
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Outgoing President Luis Lacalle Pou, of the center-right Republican Coalition, extended his congratulations to Orsi and offered his cooperation for a smooth transition.
Orsi’s win marks a shift back to left-wing governance for Uruguay, which had been under Frente Amplio leadership for 15 years until 2020. During that period, the country gained international recognition for progressive policies, including legalizing abortion, same-sex marriage, and recreational cannabis.
The victory was celebrated in Montevideo, a stronghold for Frente Amplio supporters, with cheers erupting as results were announced.
Orsi’s campaign was bolstered by the endorsement of José “Pepe” Mujica, a former guerrilla fighter and president known for his humble lifestyle and progressive ideals.
Orsi has promised continuity rather than radical change, aiming to tackle pressing issues such as drug-related crime and economic recovery after a historic drought and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Despite the victory, Orsi faces significant challenges. Rising crime, especially linked to drug trafficking, remains a top concern for many Uruguayans. Economic growth, while recovering, still lags due to recent global and regional setbacks.
In legislative elections held in October, Frente Amplio secured a majority in the Senate but remains a minority in the Chamber of Representatives, signaling potential challenges in passing major reforms.
Leaders across Latin America, including Brazil’s Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Chile’s Gabriel Boric, celebrated Orsi’s victory. Lula described it as “a triumph for all of Latin America and the Caribbean.”
Uruguay, widely regarded as one of the region’s most stable democracies, maintains a high standard of living with low poverty rates and strong civic participation, including compulsory voting.
During Frente Amplio’s earlier tenure, Uruguay became a global pioneer in social reforms, including being the first nation to legalize recreational cannabis use in 2013.
Orsi’s victory signals the electorate’s desire to revisit those values while addressing contemporary challenges.
Former President Mujica, who voted despite ongoing cancer treatment, reflected on the country’s future. “My closest future is the cemetery, but I care deeply about the world you, the young, will inherit,” he said.
The transition of power is expected to proceed smoothly, with Orsi’s inauguration slated for March 1, 2025.
