Yamandu Orsi, a left-wing candidate, emerged victorious in Uruguay's presidential runoff election on Sunday, according to independent quick counts from small samples of ballots cast.

With 97% of votes tallied, Orsi secured 49%, while his opponent, Alvaro Delgado of the ruling center-right coalition, garnered 46%.

"Congratulations to President-elect Orsi. He can count on us to build the agreements that Uruguay needs to continue moving towards development," said Delgado, 55, as he conceded defeat.

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Orsi, a 57-year-old history professor, is set to succeed President Luis Lacalle Pou on March 1, 2025. Lacalle Pou, who has an approval rating close to 50%, is constitutionally barred from seeking immediate reelection.

“I called Yamandú Orsi to congratulate him as president-elect of our country,” Lacalle Pou wrote on X, adding that he would “put himself at his service and begin the transition as soon as I deem it appropriate.”

With Orsi’s victory, the leftist Frente Amplio (Broad Front) alliance will return to power after losing in 2020 following three consecutive terms, one of which was under Mujica, now 89 and recovering from esophageal cancer.

Orsi and Delgado advanced from a crowded field of nine candidates in the first voting round on October 27 but neither secured enough votes for an outright win. Voting in Uruguay is mandatory for over 2.7 million eligible voters.

Reactions to the results of the election 

Leaders across the region commended Orsi’s victory. Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva wrote, “I want to congratulate the Uruguayan people for the holding of democratic and peaceful elections and, in particular, the elected President Yamandú Orsi, and my friend Pepe Mujica for today’s victory. It is a victory for all of Latin America and the Caribbean."

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum also congratulated Orsi, saying, “Congratulations to Yamandú Orsi and Carolina Cosse for their victory as president and vice president of the sister Eastern Republic of Uruguay. The Frente Amplio returns to govern by the will of the Uruguayan people, who once again demonstrate their democratic and progressive vocation.”