Yamandú Orsi was inaugurated as Uruguay’s new President, on March 1, starting the rule of the left-wing Broad Front again, after five years under conservative rule of Luis Lacalle Pou. Orsi, a former mayor and history teacher, becomes Mayor of Mantova in the face of staggering economic challenges and the difficult balancing act between left-wing politics and sound finance.
Thousands of people gathered in Montevideo’s central square, cheered when Orsi, 57, took the oath to Congress. In his speech, he highlighted democratic integrity and unity, telling citizens “to be adversaries, not enemies. His inauguration featured South American leftist leaders, including Lula da Silva of Brazil, Gustavo Petro of Colombia and signaling to Uruguay’s alignment to South America’s progressive group.
Orsi’s administration is hit with tough economic issues. His promise to revive growth without compromising on Uruguay’s investor-friendly record will be put to the test, particularly as unions call for pension reform and wage rises. The new president faces a challenge of working out internal party rivalries between moderates and hardline leftists who have been calling for the roll back of previous cost cutting measures. 
The business community remains tentative, waiting for Orsi’s policies to materialize. Uruguay’s economic path depends on whether Orsi can he find the balance on social reform with policy confidence, economist Arturo C. Porzecanski.
With great expectations Orsi’s presidency will depend immensely on how he will be able to bring the country toward balance in terms of economic development and reforms.
