Uruguay is shifting to the center-left as Yamandú Orsi was sworn in as the country’s new president on Saturday. Backed by former leader José “Pepe” Mujica, Orsi has pledged a “modern left” approach, balancing economic growth with stronger social policies.
Orsi took office as Uruguay’s new president after a narrow election victory.
He promised a balanced approach to governance, focusing on social welfare and investment.
Uruguay faces economic and social challenges, with nearly 19% of the population in multidimensional poverty.
Diplomatic ties with the U.S., China, and Mercosur countries will test Orsi’s leadership.
Orsi, a 57-year-old former mayor, won the presidency in November, defeating the ruling center-right coalition. Seen as a moderate, he has promised a pragmatic leftist agenda, emphasizing both social protection and business-friendly policies.
During his inaugural speech at Montevideo’s Legislative Palace, Orsi made clear his government would not overhaul the system but instead push for “new proposals and permanent construction.” The chamber erupted in applause when he credited Mujica, the iconic leftist former president.
Outgoing conservative leader Luis Lacalle Pou presented Orsi with the presidential sash during an outdoor ceremony where the two shared a brief embrace.
Throughout his campaign, Orsi reassured Uruguayans that his government would avoid radical policy changes in one of South America's most stable economies, known for cattle ranching, progressive laws, and steady growth.
Uruguay’s economy, fueled by farm exports, is projected to grow in 2025, but high living costs, inequality, and rising crime rates have weakened public trust in the previous administration.
“The destiny and future of this country has to change,” Orsi said in an interview with Reuters before the election, insisting that his Broad Front coalition, which secured a Senate majority, was the force to make that change.
According to a February 19 report by the National Statistics Agency (INE), 19% of Uruguayans faced multidimensional poverty, measured by deprivations in areas like education, housing, and employment.
The new government’s priority is to boost social programs while attracting investment and skilled workers—without raising taxes.
Orsi’s government enters at a time of global trade tensions, with Uruguay balancing ties between China, its largest trading partner, and the U.S., a key regional ally.
"Uruguay will be under a lot of pressure from the U.S. to limit Chinese investment in critical sectors like infrastructure and telecommunications," said Nicolás Saldías from the Economist Intelligence Unit.
Despite this, U.S.-Uruguay trade surged by 68% in 2024, creating new opportunities for economic cooperation. Orsi’s government will need strong diplomacy to navigate relations with the Trump administration.
Uruguay has also been negotiating a bilateral trade deal with China since 2021, while pushing for a broader China-Mercosur agreement. In December, Mercosur reached a long-awaited trade deal with the European Union after decades of talks.
Orsi also faces a divided Mercosur bloc, with left-wing Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Argentina’s libertarian leader Javier Milei at odds. While Lula attended the inauguration, Milei skipped the event due to the opening of Argentina’s Congress.
In a break from past Uruguayan foreign policy, Orsi hesitated to invite Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro after his disputed election in July. Ultimately, the decision was left to Lacalle Pou’s outgoing government, which blocked officials from Venezuela, Cuba, and Nicaragua, citing their lack of democratic governance.
Thousands of revellers packed Berga's main square as fire-devil performers showered the crowd with sparks during Catalonia's UNESCO-listed La Patum fe...
Iran and Israel said on Monday (8 June) they had halted attacks on each other following an appeal from U.S. President Donald Trump, as Axios reported...
The Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran (FFIRI) has accused the U.S. of preventing Iranian supporters from attending the country's World Cup ...
Iran and Israel have halted strikes on each other, but Tehran has warned it will recommence attacks if Israel continues military action in Lebanon. U...
ChatGPT maker OpenAI has confidentially filed for a U.S. initial public offering (IPO), the company said on Monday, joining rival Anthropic in a race ...
Thousands of revellers packed Berga's main square as fire-devil performers showered the crowd with sparks during Catalonia's UNESCO-listed La Patum festival.
Iran and Israel said on Monday (8 June) they had halted attacks on each other following an appeal from U.S. President Donald Trump, as Axios reported that Trump had privately told Benjamin Netanyahu “be careful, or you will be on your own very soon”.
The Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran (FFIRI) has accused the U.S. of preventing Iranian supporters from attending the country's World Cup matches after its allocation of tickets was withdrawn just days before the tournament begins.
The United States has added some of China's biggest technology and automotive companies, including Alibaba, Baidu, BYD and Nio, to a Pentagon list of firms it believes are linked to Beijing's military.
Counting is underway in Armenia's elections. The results of the vote are set to determine the political direction of the country of three million people for the next few years. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan is hoping to fend off challenges from several pro-Russia candidates to secure a third term.
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's Civil Contract party has won the Armenian elections, picking up nearly half the vote. With a majority in parliament, Pashinyan is set for a third term as Prime Minister. But an opposition politican has said he will challenge the election results.
The results of Armenia’s parliamentary elections will determine the makeup of the National Assembly and shape the country's political direction for the foreseeable future. But in Armenia, the final result is not decided by vote percentages alone. Here's how it works.
Barcelona is preparing to mark a historic milestone in the legacy of architect Antoni Gaudí as Pope Leo XIV visits the city this week to inaugurate the Tower of Jesus Christ at the Sagrada Família basilica, almost exactly 100 years after the visionary architect’s death.
Iran and Israel have halted strikes on each other, but Tehran has warned it will recommence attacks if Israel continues military action in Lebanon. U.S. President Donald Trump and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun have meanwhile made pleas for peace.
The Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran (FFIRI) has accused the U.S. of preventing Iranian supporters from attending the country's World Cup matches after its allocation of tickets was withdrawn just days before the tournament begins.
The United States has added some of China's biggest technology and automotive companies, including Alibaba, Baidu, BYD and Nio, to a Pentagon list of firms it believes are linked to Beijing's military.
The Democratic Republic of Congo's latest Ebola outbreak has claimed more than 100 lives, with health authorities warning that armed conflict and attacks on aid workers are hindering efforts to contain the disease.
Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan has been denied entry to the United States, preventing him from taking part in the FIFA World Cup 2026 and ending what would have been a historic moment for Somali football.
The International Criminal Court's chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, has been suspended pending a vote by member states on whether he should be removed from office, following an investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment