The left returns to power in Uruguay
Orsi won, according to the official results of the Electoral Court of Uruguay. He had more than 90,000 votes over the candidate of the ruling party, Álvaro Delgado. The future head of state assured that he would « be the president who calls again and again to national dialogue to find the best solutions ».
The current president of Uruguay, Luis Lacalle Pou, recognized Orsi as the elected president very quickly. His opponent, Delgado, also rushed to react. The candidate of the officialdom pointed out that « with sadness » but « without guilt complex » he can « congratulate who won ».
As soon as the results were known, hundreds of supporters of the Broad Front gathered in the country’s capital, Montevideo. They waved flags of the political movement and lit fireworks. People were looking forward to their party’s return to the presidency.
Results of the first round
The 27th October, eleven political forces clashed to decide who would be the country’s ruler in the period 2025-2030. Each party was composed of its respective candidates for president and vice president.
To be elected on that day, one candidate had to obtain more than 50% of the votes. The electorate represented around 2.7 million citizens. If no political force exceeds the percentage of the valid votes, the two most voted ones advance to a second round on the 24th of November. That’s when the winner would be decided.
Yamandú Orsi won the first round of presidential elections on Sunday, October 27 with almost 44% of the votes. However, despite the high percentage achieved, he faced in the second round Álvaro Delgado, PN candidate, who came second with 26.77%.
Challenges to face
The political scene in Uruguay, unlike other Latin American countries such as Mexico or Brazil, is not marked by a notorious right-left divide. In contrast, Uruguay is living in a situation where calm and no tension prevail.
However, what Uruguay does share is concern about high cost of living, inequality and crime. Even if inflation has fallen and both employment and wages are rising, difficulties remain.
During the campaign, the now-elected president promised a « modern left » policy. He said that he does not plan a sudden change of policy in this traditionally moderate country.
Latin American leaders react to Orsi’s victory
The congratulations and messages of support to the now elected president of Uruguay were without delay.
Paraguayan president, Santiago Peña, said he contacted Orsi to express « Paraguay’s commitment to continue working for the benefit » of both nations. He also congratulated Uruguayans on their « massive participation » in the elections.
Regarding Brazil, its head of state, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, congratulated « the Uruguayan people on holding democratic and peaceful elections and, in particular, the president-elect Yamandú Orsi, to the Broad Front ».
From the north of the American continent, Mexican President, Claudia Sheinbaum, extended her congratulations to « Yamandú Orsi and Carolina Cosse, for their triumph as president and vice president of the sister Eastern Republic of Uruguay ».
