On March 1, 2025, Yamandú Orsi, a 57-year-old politician, became Uruguay’s 43rd president. Reuters reports that this might indicate a “political shift to the center-left” in the country. Orsi is a member of the left-wing constituent party Movement of Popular Participation but presents himself as a moderate, promising to “strike a different balance between social welfare and economic growth” while using a “modern-left agenda.”

In his speech, he calls for unity. Orsi acknowledges that the diversity of ideologies in politics is why “Uruguay works,” emphasizing the need and his commitment to keep “freedom, truth, and justice intact.” Orsi’s biggest point of campaign, however, is his promise to improve the economic state of Uruguay and to combat the current economic stagnation. According to the National Statistics Agency, almost 19% of Uruguayans lived in a situation of “multidimensional poverty” in the year 2024. As the previous president of Uruguay, Luis Lacalle Pou, was of a conservative political party, Orsi’s policies may face both support and skepticism from the public. His moderate stance has garnered appeal among centrist voters, but some on the left worry that he may not push progressive policies far enough.

Orsi’s centrist-left approach exhibits a commitment to striking a balance between growth and welfare and will largely depend on the efficiency and effectiveness of his policies. How will he aim to improve the lives of those experiencing multidimensional poverty? Any economic reforms must not come at the expense of marginalized communities in Uruguay. It will be imperative to bridge any ideological divides that may have shaped Uruguay’s landscape.

According to Freedom House, Uruguay – although often shadowed by other larger South American nations – has a “historically strong democratic governance structure and a positive record of upholding political rights and civil liberties.” Nonetheless, there have been recent growing concerns about the economy, specifically regarding poverty rates and stagnant wages. President Pou did little to address the deepening inequalities. Now, Orsi’s administration must prove that they can enact reforms that improve economic conditions.

This could be pivotal for the future of Uruguay, both politically and economically. If Orsi succeeds in maintaining social stability while addressing economic stagnation, then the Uruguayan democratic governance model will continue to be upheld in Latin America. Failure to do so could not only further polarize the country but open Orsi, as well as the left, up to regional and international scrutiny. Currently, the international landscape is fluctuating like never before, and it is growing increasingly important to have nations that are stable and functioning well.