Yamandu Orsi has been inaugurated as the president of Uruguay, signaling a return to leftist governance after five years of center-right leadership. His agenda emphasizes economic stability, public safety, and sustainable development. Orsi faces challenges such as managing a divided parliament and addressing pressing social demands in a country with a complex history.
Yamandu Orsi was officially sworn in as the president of Uruguay on Saturday, marking a return to leftist governance after five years of leadership under Luis Lacalle Pou, representing the center-right. This transition occurs as Uruguay, with a population of 3.4 million, celebrates four decades of uninterrupted democratic rule.
In his inaugural speech delivered at Montevideo’s Legislative Palace, President Orsi, aged 57, emphasized the strong connection between democracy and societal well-being. He paid tribute to his mentor, the revered former president Jose “Pepe” Mujica, who campaigned for Orsi’s election despite battling esophageal cancer.
Orsi, who has been elected for a five-year term, has laid out his agenda which includes commitments to bolster Uruguay’s economy, combat drug-related crime, and promote sustainable development. He becomes the ninth president since the end of a civil-military dictatorship in 1985, a period associated with grave human rights violations.
Among his supporters, there was palpable excitement regarding Orsi’s inauguration. Cecilia Riera, a supporter, expressed the community’s hope, stating, “We have been waiting for this for five years,” referring to the downturn in social conditions and security in the country during the prior administration.
With 44 percent favorability in opinion polls, Orsi is poised to navigate complex challenges, leading a divided parliament where his Broad Front coalition holds a slim majority in the Senate. Experts suggest that internal tensions within the coalition might pose significant challenges for his governance.
In addition to dealing with social issues and economic pressures, Uruguayan leaders face the challenge of managing the budget deficit amidst an anticipated growth slowdown due to drought conditions. Yet, economic analysts argue that Orsi inherits a fundamentally sound economy, offering a stable starting point for his tenure as president.
In summary, Yamandu Orsi’s inauguration as president of Uruguay marks a significant political shift back to leftist governance following five years of center-right leadership. With a focus on economic stability, public safety, and sustainable development, President Orsi faces the task of addressing pressing social issues while managing a divided parliament and navigating internal coalition dynamics. His administration holds promise amid a history of democratic resilience.
Original Source: www.rfi.fr
