Uruguay's President-elect, Yamandu Orsi, of the Frente Amplio coalition, delivered his victory speech following the presidential runoff election in Montevideo on Sunday. AFP
The next president of Uruguay is a former history teacher who transitioned from the classroom to local government and will now lead the nation of 3.4 million after his victory on Sunday. President-elect Yamandu Orsi, of the Frente Amplio (Broad Front) alliance, defeated Alvaro Delgado of the center-right National Party in the second round of voting, restoring left-wing governance to the country. According to the country's Electoral Court, Orsi secured 1,196,798 votes compared to Delgado's 1,101,296, representing 49.8% to 45.9% of the vote. Orsi, 57, received nearly 44% of the ballots in the first election round on October 27 and maintained a slight lead in opinion polls ahead of Sunday's closely contested vote.
Orsi is considered the protégé of the highly popular former president Jose "Pepe" Mujica, known as "the world's poorest president" during his 2010-2015 tenure due to his modest lifestyle. Born in a rural home without electricity, Orsi grew up in the town of Canelones, where he later served as mayor. As a child, he assisted in his parents' grocery store, was a folk dancer, and a Catholic altar boy. In 1989, he joined the Movement of Popular Participation, founded by Mujica, which later became part of the Frente Amplio coalition. Orsi taught history in high school until 2005 when he entered local government. He comfortably won the Frente Amplio primary in June, defeating former Montevideo mayor Carolina Cosse, whom he selected as his running mate.
The twice-married educator and father of twins campaigned as a moderate with a practical approach. However, his lack of a clear government plan drew criticism. He also declined to participate in debates and gave few media interviews. Despite the election shifting the political balance in Uruguay, analysts do not expect a significant change in the country's economic trajectory, with Orsi previously promising "change that will not be radical." Both candidates pledged to combat crime linked to drug trafficking and to stimulate economic growth, which is recovering from the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic and a historic drought.
Following the October legislative elections, Orsi will govern with a majority in the Senate, although the Frente Amplio is in the minority in the Chamber of Representatives. He defeated Delgado, who had just started his new role as secretary of the presidency under longtime friend, Luis Lacalle Pou, when the Covid-19 pandemic struck Uruguay in 2020. Delgado's role as government spokesman during the crisis helped elevate his public profile. Born in Montevideo, Delgado was educated in Catholic schools before earning a veterinary degree. He entered politics after managing an agricultural business and working as a veterinary advisor. Prior to his service in the Lacalle Pou administration, he also worked as a labor inspector, a member of parliament representing Montevideo, and a senator.
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