Uruguay’s leftist opposition candidate Yamandou Orsi declared victory in a close presidential run-off on Sunday, ousting the conservative government that had ruled for the past five years.
As vote counting continues, presidential candidate Alvaro Delgado of the center-right ruling coalition conceded defeat to his challenger.
“I feel sad, but I don’t feel guilty and I can celebrate the winner,” he told supporters at his campaign headquarters in the capital Montevideo.
Mr. Orsi, 57, a working-class former history teacher and two-time mayor of Uruguay’s Broad Front Union, is a former Marxist guerrilla who gained world fame for pushing for the legalization of abortion in Uruguay. He received guidance from former President Pepe “Mujica. -Sexual marriage and marijuana sales 10 years ago. Orsi thanked his supporters as a crowd gathered to greet him.
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Broad Front (Frente Amplio) candidate Yamandou Orsi and vice-presidential candidate Carolina Cosse (right) celebrate after the close of voting in the presidential run-off election in Montevideo, Uruguay, Sunday, November 24, 2024. Hold a meeting. (AP Photo/Natasha Pisarenko)
“The country of freedom, equality and fraternity has won again,” he said, pledging to unite the nation’s 3.4 million people after such a close contest.
“Let’s understand that there are people in different parts of our country who feel differently today,” he said. “These people must also help build a better country. We need them too.”
“I will be the president who repeatedly calls for national dialogue and builds a more integrated society and country,” Orsi said.
“We have to work hard starting tomorrow. We have a lot of work to do,” he told The Associated Press at the glass-enclosed NH Columbia Hotel, as a crowd of friends and colleagues hugged and congratulated him.
With nearly all votes counted, election officials reported that Orsi won just over 49% of the vote, to Delgado’s 46%. The rest either voted blank or abstained, in defiance of Uruguay’s compulsory vote. Voter turnout reached almost 90%.
For weeks, opinion polls had shown the two sides evenly matched, but Mr. Delgado’s concession confirmed Mr. Orsi as Uruguay’s new leader, narrowing the chances for a centre-right Republican coalition to rule.
On Sunday, November 24, 2024, in Montevideo, Uruguay, presidential candidate Alvaro Delgado of the ruling National Party concedes defeat. (AP Photo/Mathilde Campodonico)
The 2019 presidential election of Luis Lacalle Pou ended 15 years of continuous rule by the Broad Front.
“I called Mr. Yamandu Orsi to congratulate him on becoming our country’s next president,” Lakare Pou wrote on social media X, adding: “We will begin the transition of power as soon as we deem it appropriate.”
Orsi’s victory makes the South American country the latest to rebuke an incumbent party in the wake of the post-pandemic economic downturn.
The victory contrasts with that of populist Javier Millay, who was elected president of Argentina in 2023 on a promise to overhaul the system to tackle soaring inflation and poverty. Milley reportedly became close to President-elect Trump.
Orsi is said to be a moderate with no plans for fundamental change. About key concerns of voters, such as reducing child poverty rates, which currently stand at a staggering 25%, and curbing the surge in organized crime that is rocking a country long considered the safest in Latin America. He generally agrees with the views of his opponents.
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Despite Orsi’s pledge to lead Uruguay’s “new left,” his platform resembles the combination of pro-market policies and welfare programs that characterized Broadfront’s tenure from 2005 to 2020. are.
Mr. Mujica, now 89 and recovering from esophageal cancer, appeared at his local polling station before voting began on Sunday and praised Mr. Orsi’s humility and Uruguay’s vaunted stability.
“This is no easy feat,” he said of the country’s “people who respect formal institutions.”
Delgado had promised to continue his predecessor’s pro-business policies as inflation eases and economic growth is expected to be around 3.2% this year.
Supporters of the Broad Front (Frente Amplio) celebrate the victory of candidate Yamandou Orsi on Sunday, November 24, 2024 in Montevideo, Uruguay. (AP Photo/Mathilde Campodonico)
Mr. Lakare Pu’u, who cannot run for two consecutive terms due to the constitution, enjoys a high approval rating. But official results trickling in on Sunday showed growing dissatisfaction within Uruguay over years of slow economic growth, stagnant wages and the government’s struggle to contain crime for the first time in five years pushed the election to Mr Delgado. It was shown that this was a contributing factor to the sway.
Orsi’s specific proposals include tax incentives to attract investment and boost the vital agricultural sector, and lowering the retirement age but falling short of the fundamental overhaul called for by Uruguayan labor unions. It includes social security reform, but it was not passed by general resolution on October 27th. In the election, neither candidate was able to secure a complete majority.
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He is also likely to end a trade deal with China that La Calle Pou has pursued, much to the chagrin of Mercosur, an alliance of South American countries that promotes regional commerce.
His government will take office on March 1, 2025.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
