Yamandú Orsi Wins Uruguay's 2024 Presidential Runoff

Opposition candidate Yamandú Orsi defeated Álvaro Delgado of the incumbent center-right National Party in a runoff vote held on November 24 to become Uruguay’s president-elect. Orsi’s win marks a return to power for the Broad Front, a coalition of left-of-center parties that governed Uruguay for 15 years, from 2005 to 2020. Orsi is considered the successor of the legacy of former President José “Pepe” Mujica (2010–2015).

In his victory speech before a crowd of supporters that filled Montevideo’s rambla, Orsi celebrated the stability of Uruguay’s democracy and promised to “construct a more integrated society” in which “no one is left behind economically, socially, or politically.”

Orsi’s proposals to address crime and insecurity—the top concern for Uruguayans this election cycle—combine a holistic, community-based approach to crime prevention with more policing. On the economic front, Orsi has outlined plans to incentivize investment in the country while increasing corporate tax revenue collection. Additionally, during his campaign, he mentioned his intention to review Uruguay’s pensions infrastructure and to expand grants aimed at tackling rates of childhood poverty. 

Orsi and his vice president-elect, Carolina Cosse, will assume their roles on March 1, 2025. Cosse will be the third consecutive woman vice president for the country.