On Saturday, March 1st, 2025, Yamandu Orsi was inaugurated as Uruguay’s new president. President Orsi, a moderate member of the leftist Broad Front party, won the election in November narrowly, replacing the center-right party that was in power for the past 5 years. He is backed by many Uruguayan leftists, including former President Mujica, though he has endorsed a “modern left” agenda, constituting more moderate politics. Orsi pledged during his inaugural address that these upcoming years are not “a time of refoundation…but one of new proposals and permanent construction.”

President Orsi’s inauguration was attended by delegates from as many as 60 countries, including from the United States. He also hosted President Boric of Chile, President Lula da Silva of Brazil, and President Petro of Colombia—all like-minded leftist South American leaders—for dinner the night before his election. Though Orsi said he would “decide in the moment” whether to invite President Maduro of Venezuela, reflecting a potential change in foreign policy, the outgoing government decided to restrict any delegates from Venezuela, Nicaragua, and Cuba from attending the inauguration due to claims of these countries having undemocratic regimes.

The civility of this election and transfer of power is very promising, especially in a time of increasing political polarization worldwide. Many Uruguayans are still unsure of what to expect of Orsi’s economic policies, according to Uruguayan economist Arturo C. Porzecanski, as it depends on whether he or his party holds more sway. However, Orsi has pledged to stay moderate and listen to Uruguayan people themselves in order to best meet their needs. Additionally, President Orsi will face foreign policy challenges, specifically with ideologically opposing countries in the region such as Argentina, as well as competition between China and the United States, who are both strong allies and investors in Uruguay. If President Orsi stays true to his word, Uruguay will continue to grow and stabilize, as well as become a strong ally for other countries, all while increasing prosperity for Uruguayans.

Uruguay has remained one of the most stable democracies in South America since the ending of its military dictatorship in 1985. President Orsi’s Broad Front party was in power from 2005 until 2020, when the right-wing National Party was voted into power. Since former President Pou was elected in 2020, the country has faced challenges including stalling economic growth, increased poverty, and inequality. President Orsi has pledged to work on these problems, and it is clear that some Uruguayans have faith in him to solve them, as he enters office with a 44% favorable opinion amongst voters.

Overall, this election has incited some cautious optimism for the future of Uruguay. Though there are still many open-ended questions, and it is unclear exactly what Orsi’s politics will be moving forward, the civility between the parties during this entire election process, as well as the election being between two moderates, indicates that there is no imminent threat of violence and that peace will persist. Similarly, the solidarity with other South American leaders indicates increased regional stability and peace. Moving forward, it is essential that President Orsi remains cautious and mindful of the wants and needs of not only his party, but the opposition party and above all else the citizens of Uruguay.