- In Chile, Gabriel Boric has been elected as the new president. The left candidate came after the count of almost all votes to almost 56 percent.
- His opponent, right-wing José Antonio Kast, acknowledged his defeat.
- The choice was seen as a fundamental decision in which direction the country should develop.
The candidate of the left-wing electoral alliance “Apruebo Dignidad” (Eng. “I agree to the dignity”) came in the runoff election on Sunday to almost 56 percent. Right-wing populist José Antonio Kast of German origin received a good 44 percent of the vote and congratulated his competitor on his victory. Due to the huge political gap between the two candidates, the election was considered a turning point, and many even considered it the most important election since Chile’s return to democracy in 1990.
Revived left
Boric, who comes from Punta Arenas on the southern tip of the country, led the student protests in Chile in 2011 and was elected MP in 2013. In the first ballot four weeks ago, he finished second just behind Kast.
I will be the president of all Chileans.
With him, a new political generation is coming to the presidential palace: He stands for a revitalized progressive left that has grown strongly, especially since 2019. Under his leadership, the country is likely to maintain the course of social openness it has taken.
Legend:
Boric before his victory speech.
Keystone
Thousands celebrated, attracted by his first speech on the Alameda main thoroughfare in the capital Santiago de Chile and in other cities. Boric assured his compatriots that he wanted to bridge the rifts between right and left that had become apparent during the election campaign: “I will be the president of all Chileans.”
For better education and health care
Boric has promised a public education system and better health care modeled on the European welfare state. He also advocates the rights of migrants, indigenous peoples and homosexuals.
On the other hand, his rival Kast, who was 20 years his senior, had promised tax cuts, a border trench against illegal immigration and crackdown on criminals. The father of nine and a devout Catholic from the Republican Party is considered a sympathizer of the former dictator Augusto Pinochet.
Two years ago, thousands of demonstrators called for social reform and the resignation of President Sebastián Piñera every day for weeks. They have already been able to enforce one of their most important demands, which they also supported: a convention is currently working on a new constitution. The current text dates from the time of the Pinochet military dictatorship (1973-1990).
A total of around 15 million people were eligible to vote in Chile. The turnout was 55 percent. The new head of state is scheduled to take office in March.