Uruguay's new leftist president takes office, facing a financial balancing act

MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay (AP) — Yamandú Orsi, a telegenic left-leaning former mayor and history teacher, took office as Uruguay's new president on Saturday, at the helm of a government that has pledged to strengthen the social safety net while reversing years of economic stagnation.

The inauguration of Orsi, 57, marks the return of Uruguay’s Broad Front — a center-left mix of moderates, communists and hardline trade unionists — after a five-year interruption by the country’s outgoing conservative president, Luis Lacalle Pou.

Cheers erupted as Orsi recited the oath of office before Congress on Saturday in Uruguay’s capital of Montevideo. Outside the chamber, in the city's main square, thousands of Uruguayans watching his swearing-in on giant screens shouted in support.

The ceremony came three months after Orsi's presidential victory in a remarkably civilized election race between two moderates, praised as an antidote to the polarization gripping the region. In his speech, he took a dig at growing disillusionment with democratic norms across Latin America, which has resulted in a shift to the right, from neighboring Argentina to El Salvador.

“We all know well that we have to treasure our democratic construction in times where exclusionary logic and expressions of distrust in traditional politics proliferate,” Orsi said in his inaugural address before a gathering of domestic and foreign leaders at the legislative palace in Montevideo.

He declared: “Let us always be adversaries, but never enemies. And let us distance ourselves as far as possible from cynicism.”

The night before the ceremony, Orsi dined in Montevideo with his like-minded regional counterparts, including Brazil's President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Colombia's Gustavo Petro and Chile's Gabriel Boric.

The friendly scene cemented Orsi as the latest in the region's swath of allied left-wing leaders — many of whom have struggled in recent years to combat rising inequality and stalling growth.

Many Uruguayans saw Orsi as the nostalgia candidate, recalling the Broad Front's 15-year rule between 2005 and 2020. During that time, the coalition presided over a historic cycle of economic growth that reduced poverty and cemented the country's pro-business reputation. The coalition also launched pioneering social reforms that won Uruguay international acclaim, including the legalization of abortion, same-sex marriage and recreational marijuana.

But in 2020, emerging problems like creeping inequality and surging crime ushered in Lacalle Pou’s center-right government on promises of reforming the bloated state.

Last year, public frustration over the persistence of those problems helped bring Lacalle Pou’s tenure to an end, as an anti-incumbent wave swept across the globe.

A cautious campaigner, Orsi — the former mayor of Canelones, an oceanfront district known for its cattle ranches and high-tech — vowed to implement “safe change” for Uruguay’s 3.5 million people.

Now he faces a difficult balancing act — between satisfying the demands of his more radical leftist constituents, which have called for unwinding some of the previous government's cost-cutting measures, while boosting competitiveness to spur much-needed economic development.

“The country needs to recover a path of growth that generates not only a greater quantity but also quality of work,” he said. “That allows a floor of salary dignity and, with it, a better distribution of income.”

With a fractious coalition, experts say many of Orsi's positions will become clear only after he takes office and is forced to make hard policy choices.

“The business community is taking a watch-and-see attitude until it’s clear whether Orsi is in charge or whether his more aggressive leftist base is in charge,” said Uruguayan economist Arturo C. Porzecanski, a global fellow at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars.

“If Orsi doesn’t come out on top and measures that set the clock back get passed, then that will dim the economic outlook for the coming years."

Keeping a tight budget will make it difficult to meet expectations of the unionists that promoted a controversial referendum to increase pensions and reverse the former government’s decision to raise the legal retirement age from 60 to 65.

Orsi acknowledged the challenge in his speech, saying: “A lot of dialogue, an outstretched hand and the ability to understand the different sensitivities expressed by our community will be necessary."

Last fall, Uruguayans shot down the proposed pension overhaul. Many praised the vote's outcome as a rare, level-headed rejection of budget-busting populism that has long beset the region.

But union leaders — and their supporters, like Orsi’s Communist labor minister — have continued to press their demands, challenging Uruguay's investor-friendly reputation.

“The diagnosis is concerning when it comes to workers and their commitment to resolving disputes,” Labor Minister Juan Castillo said last week, as powerful trade unions called a mass strike and multinational Japanese auto-part maker Yazaki shut down operations in Uruguay, citing high labor and production costs.

DeBre reported from Buenos Aires, Argentina. Associated Press writer Nayara Batschke contributed to this reporto from Sao Paulo.

A woman stands on a balcony looking out at people gathering in Independent Square where President-elect Yamandu Orsi will receive the presidential sash, on Inauguration Day in Montevideo, Uruguay, Saturday, March 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Matilde Campodonico)

People gather with Uruguay's flags prior to President-elect Yamandu Orsi's swearing-in ceremony, on Inauguration Day in Montevideo, Uruguay, Saturday, March 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Matilde Campodonico)

Uruguay's incoming President Yamandu Orsi and Vice President Carolina Cosse attend an Inauguration Day ceremony, in Montevideo, Uruguay, Saturday, March 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Matilde Campodonico)

People greet Uruguay's newly sworn-in President Yamandu Orsi and Vice President Carolina Cosse as they ride by in an open car, on Inauguration Day in Montevideo, Uruguay, Saturday, March 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Santiago Mazzarovich)

Uruguay's newly sworn-in President Yamandu Orsi and first lady Laura Alonso Perez wave from an Estevez Palace balcony, accompanied by their children, Victorio and Lucia, on Inauguration Day in Montevideo, Uruguay, Saturday, March 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Matilde Campodonico)

People greet Uruguay's newly sworn-in President Yamandu Orsi and Vice President Carolina Cosse as they ride past in an open car, on Inauguration Day in Montevideo, Uruguay, Saturday, March 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Santiago Mazzarovich)

Uruguay's incoming President Yamandu Orsi and Vice President Carolina Cosse exit the Congress building after they attended their swearing ceremony, on Inauguration Day in Montevideo, Uruguay, Saturday, March 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Santiago Mazzarovich)

Uruguay's newly sworn-in President Yamandu Orsi, center back at podium, addresses Congress on Inauguration Day, in Montevideo, Uruguay, Saturday, March 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Santiago Mazzarovich)

Germany's President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, from left, Chile's President Gabriel Boric, Bolivia's President Luis Arce, Colombia's President Gustavo Petro and Honduran President Xiomara Castro, attend the the swearing-in ceremony for President-elect Yamandu Orsi, at Congress in Montevideo, Uruguay, Saturday, March 1, 2025. Seated left, in back row, is Secretary General of the Organization of American States Luis Almagro. (AP Photo/Santiago Mazzarovich)

Uruguay's new President Yamandu Orsi raises his right fist during his swearing-in ceremony in Congress, on Inauguration Day in Montevideo, Uruguay, Saturday, March 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Santiago Mazzarovich)

People greet Uruguay's newly sworn-in President Yamandu Orsi and Vice President Carolina Cosse as they ride past in an open car, on Inauguration Day in Montevideo, Uruguay, Saturday, March 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Santiago Mazzarovich)

Uruguay's incoming President Yamandu Orsi and Vice President Carolina Cosse wave as they ride in an open car on Inauguration Day, in Montevideo, Uruguay, Saturday, March 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Santiago Mazzarovich)

Uruguay's President-elect Yamandu Orsi holds hands with Vice President-elect Carolina Cosse, accompanied by Sen. Alejandro Sanchez, during their swearing-in ceremony in Congress on Inauguration Day, in Montevideo, Uruguay, Saturday, March 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Santiago Mazzarovich)

Uruguay's incoming President Yamandu Orsi, left, shows his appreciation after receiving the presidential sash from outgoing President Luis Lacalle Pou, on Inauguration Day in Montevideo, Uruguay, Saturday, March 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Matilde Campodonico)

Uruguay's outgoing President Luis Lacalle Pou, right, places the presidential sash on incoming President Yamandu Orsi, on Inauguration Day in Montevideo, Uruguay, Saturday, March 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Matilde Campodonico)

Uruguay's incoming President Yamandu Orsi, left, applauds after receiving the presidential sash from outgoing President Luis Lacalle Pou, on Inauguration Day in Montevideo, Uruguay, Saturday, March 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Matilde Campodonico)

Uruguay's incoming President Yamandu Orsi and Vice President Carolina Cosse attend an Inauguration Day ceremony, in Montevideo, Uruguay, Saturday, March 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Matilde Campodonico)

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Mitch Marner had three goals and two assists and the Golden Knights scored three times in the third period to defeat the Calgary Flames 6-3 on Thursday night.

It was the sixth time in Marner's career that he had at least five points in a game and the first since also having five (one goal, four assists) for Toronto against Boston on Jan. 4, 2025.

Ivan Barbashev had a goal and and two assists, Mark Stone had an assist for his 700th career point and Pavel Dorofeyev added to his club record with his 19th power-play goal this season and 35th overall. Shea Theodore recorded two assists, including the 300th of his career with the team.

Carter Hart, who was activated off injured reserve earlier Thursday, stopped 19 shots in his first start since Jan. 8.

Blake Coleman scored twice for the Flames and Morgan Frost had the other goal. Dustin Wolf made 28 saves.

The Golden Knights are five points ahead of Los Angeles and San Jose for the third and final Pacific Division playoff spot. Vegas is three points behind division leaders Anaheim and Edmonton.

Flames defenseman Zach Whitecloud received a video tribute at the first timeout of the opening period. He became emotional, patted his heart and waved to the fans, who roared at the return of one of the more beloved players in franchise history. He was with the Golden Knights since the 2017-18 season and became a regular three years later.

The Golden Knights traded Whitecloud to Calgary on Jan. 18 for Rasmus Andersson.

Calgary took the lead three times before Vegas answered with the equalizer each time, with the game tied at 3 entering the second intermission.

The beginning of the third period was delayed more than 20 minutes because of an issue with a spot on the ice.

Flames: Play at Anaheim on Saturday.

Golden Knights: Play at Edmonton on Saturday in a crucial Pacific Division matchup.

AP NHL: https://www.apnews.com/hub/NHL

Calgary Flames defenseman Zach Whitecloud, center, salutes the fans during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Vegas Golden Knights, Thursday, April 2, 2026, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Candice Ward)

Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Carter Hart (79) stops a shot behind Calgary Flames left wing Joel Farabee (86) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, April 2, 2026, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Candice Ward)

Vegas Golden Knights right wing Mitch Marner (93) skates with the puck against Calgary Flames defenseman Zach Whitecloud (28) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, April 2, 2026, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Candice Ward)

Calgary Flames center John Beecher (18) celebrates after his goal with defenseman Zayne Parekh (19) during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Vegas Golden Knights, Thursday, April 2, 2026, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Candice Ward)

Vegas Golden Knights right wing Mitch Marner (93) celebrates his goal with teammates against the Calgary Flames during the second period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, April 2, 2026, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Candice Ward)