Chileans already know who will be the next president in a race that represents a historic turning point in that country since it recovered democratic institutions in 1990. When the 95.18% of the electoral rollthe far-right José Antonio Kast obtained 58.30% of the votes. Her rival, the communist Jeannette Jara, has 41.7% of the votes. Almost two million difference. The result has enormous political and cultural significance. The ideology of General Augusto Pinochet returns to the Palacio de la Moneda, this time through voting. The three right-wing forces had obtained 50.2% of the votes in the first round of November. A month later he received half of the sympathies of the economist Franco Parisi, of the People’s Party.
The leader of the Republican Party He behaved during election day as if he had already been declared the winner “Chile has a tradition. Whoever wins is going to have to be president of all Chileans,” he said with surprising moderation. The main problems of the South American country “have no political color” and the “legitimate discrepancies” between sectors should not divide citizens. “This is the day of citizenship, not politics.”
Jara, who arrived at this stage amid the pessimism of his force and the center-left allies, had clung to the possibility of a political miracle which, once again, could have passed away from the radars of the polls. But political miracles exist and much more in present-day Chile. The former minister had garnered 26.5% of the votes in the first round. He improved his performance by 14 points. It wasn’t enough. “Democracy spoke loud and clear“, he said after communicating by phone with his rival to congratulate him. Then President Gabriel Boric did so: “I offer you my congratulations, you have obtained a clear victory. Being president is a great responsibility that must be approached with great affection. I will be available. I am very proud of democracy, regardless of who is happy or sad this Sunday. It will have all the facilities, with everything that is required. “I invite you to La Moneda so we can talk this Monday in more detail.” Kast, in his minutes of glory, returned attention: “I hope this is a very orderly and respectful transition.. After March 11, I would like to share a lot with your views and opinions about the country. possibility of meeting in private.
Kast beat the scrutiny surrounded by the certainties that had eluded him in the 2021 elections in front of Gabriel Boric. His victory would do nothing more than restore a surname that had been prominent during the last military dictatorship. His brother, Miguel Kast Rist, had been the architect of the social policies of Pinochetism and also held ministerial positions. But the younger brother and currently the main reference of the extreme right, was formed under the influence of Jaime Guzmán, one of the promoters of the Magna Carta of 1980. José Antonio Kast was a deputy for 16 years and fought twice for the presidency. His setback four years ago taught him several lessons that he tried to strictly apply: throughout the campaign he avoided the “stinging” issues that are more part of the values of that sector. He avoided the figure of Pinochet and, in addition, included more women in his team to remove the nickname of misogynist. He spoke substantially about the economy and urban insecurity, the issues that most concern society.
Dilemma that has not worked
The left tried to assert the dilemma of previous decades between “democracy and fascism”. The polls at least did not detect that the dividing line between Chileans is the same as in previous decades. The fight took place with absolute normality
The Undersecretary of the Interior, Víctor Ramos, led a meeting this Sunday to review the election day, highlighting that the process has developed normally and calmly at the national level. The historic polarization has temporarily lowered its decibels. The only exception to this rule of cordiality took place on social networks. “Lipigas with Kast, #NoMigrantesDelincuents“. The message that was spread on the telephone application was described as serious by the Minister Spokesperson of the Government, Camila Vallejo. Despite the good manners of the candidates, the question remains in the air about the future of a presidential candidate completely associated with Donald Trump, Javier Milei, Jair Bolsonaro and Giorgia Meloni. Will Kast look in the mirror of all of them or will he try to differentiate himself?
A victory for Kast would be impossible without the participation of the two traditional right-wing forces, National Renewal and the Independent Democratic Union (UDI).), the force from which the republican comes. In the first turn, another protagonist from that sector appeared, Johannes Kaiser, a former Republican who placed himself on an even more extreme right than Kast’s and called to vote for him this Sunday while also waiting to be part of his eventual administration. “Whether we are part of a next government is something that will be decided, we hope,” said Kaiser.
The next president takes office on March 11. Both contenders highlighted the importance of the first months. “The 90 days are very important, but it is not going to solve everything,” said Kast. You will have a Parliament in your favor. Senator Arturo Squella, president of the Republican Party, spoke of an “emergency government” that proposes to apply a “shock therapy” in the economy and address the issue of insecurity in a “totally different” way.
First reactions
The anarcho-capitalist Javier Milei allowed himself to transmit the enthusiasm of the regional extreme right. “One more step for our region in defense of life, liberty and private property. I am confident that we will work together so that America embraces the ideas of freedom and we can free ourselves from the oppressive yoke of 21st century socialism“, the Argentine president made known through X.
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