Political Narratives in the Presidential Discourse of Yamandú Orsi and Their Linguistic Representation

Abstract

Uruguay is currently one of the most socially, economically, and politically stable countries in Latin America, which renders the analysis of political narratives as tools of strategic institutional communication in the presidential discourse of Yamandú Orsi particularly relevant. The theoretical framework draws on political linguistics, integrating the critical discourse analysis of N. Fairclough, the socio-cognitive approach of T. van Dijk, the discourse-historical method of R. Wodak, and the rhetorical-critical approach of J. Charteris-Black. The aim of the study is to identify the key political narratives in Orsi’s discourse and analyze their linguistic representation and discursive functions. The methodological toolkit includes critical discourse analysis, narrative analysis, and linguo-ideological analysis. The empirical material comprises 34 public speeches delivered by Orsi between March 1, 2025, and April 18, 2026. The analysis identifies the mechanisms of strategic construction of a positive institutional image of Uruguay both domestically and internationally, as well as the nationally specific features of the leader’s rhetoric. The study reveals five key political narratives structuring the presidential discourse. First, democracy is conceptualized as the foundation of state stability and social cohesion. Second, pluralism and the alternation of power are presented as essential principles of democratic development that ensure a balance of interests. Third, continuity of power is interpreted as a guarantee of stability, fostering political predictability. Fourth, economic and social stability is portrayed as a direct consequence of political stability. Finally, peaceful coexistence – both domestically and internationally – is presented as a prerequisite for sustainable development. Collectively, these narratives, expressed through diverse linguistic mechanisms (ideologemes, metaphors, syntactic parallelism), construct an image of Uruguay as a stable state oriented toward dialogue, social justice, and international cooperation. The findings contribute to the study of nationally specific varieties of Latin American political discourse.