There are only three days left for one of Chile’s most important elections since the country’s return to democracy in 1990, because, among other things, it could determine the fate of the founding congress currently drafting the new constitution.
The two candidates, José Antonio Caste and Gabriel Boric, come from very different worlds and their platforms are diametrically opposed, although both have modified and watered down some of their proposals in the last month in order to get closer to the electorate of the center, in a country where lower abstentions could play a very important role. in the score.
Regardless of who wins the election, the future government will not have a clear majority in the bicameral Congress, so it will have serious difficulties reaching agreements and making major changes. Added to this are the economic problems caused by the epidemic, the migration and border crisis in the north of the country, the endless conflict in the Araucanía region, and the increase in crime and drug trafficking in some neighborhoods.
Who is Gabriel Borek?
Gabriel Borek (35), the candidate of the Left Coalition-Apribo Dignidad, began his political career at a young age as a student leader and leader of the University of Chile (FECh) Student Union, even giving up his law studies, which were never completed, to later serve as a two-term deputy. If he wins, he will become the youngest president in the country’s history.
The candidate for La Moneda -house of Government-, who comes from the Magallanes region, in the far south of the country, intends to make profound changes to the pension, tax, health and education systems, issues that were among the main demands of the population in October 2019, during the so-called with social fascism.
Unlike his rival, Borek was part of the political agreement that provided an institutional solution to the crisis the country was going through two years ago and ensured that he would support the founding agreement that is currently drafting the country’s new constitution.
What do you expect from Borek’s government?
The future government of Gabriel Borek, according to the economic team that accompanies it, will seek to move towards a social democracy like that of Europe, where the state should play a more important role in ensuring the basic rights of citizens.
Its main economic proposals include: changing the critical pension system (AFP), a new tax reform that seeks to raise up to 8 percent of GDP within six to eight years, and increasing the minimum wage to 500,000 Chilean pesos (520 euros). ), and refund. and revitalizing small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
Among the other most important measures of his mandate was the introduction of a wealth or inheritance tax, which would affect only 11,000 people, or 0.1 percent of the population, with the goal of collecting “about 1, 5 percent of GDP”. .
His main critics consider the left-wing candidate’s proposals unrealistic, ambitious and difficult to achieve in the country’s current economic scenario. A large part of the business sector, which criticizes Borek for his inexperience in politics, due to the inaccuracy of dealing with personalities and his alliance with the Communist Party, fears that his actions will further harm the damaged economy, and deter investors from entering the country. Debt and take a path similar to that of its neighbor Argentina.
Focus on safety, environment and minorities
Over the past month, in search of more support among center voters and undecided, Borek has hardened his rhetoric against crime, drug trafficking and organized crime, one of Chileans’ many concerns. For this reason, its program is considering a structural reform of the dubious institution of the Carabineros – the Chilean police – which is considering training new, better-prepared police officers with “full respect for human rights”, according to its programme.
The final Borek government will also focus on protecting the environment, working against the climate crisis and gradual decarbonization, and implementing various environmental taxes. Likewise, it supports feminist demands, and those of sexual diversity and indigenous communities. On this last point, his program talks about “agreeing to terms for the return of lands.”
In this presidential election, the future of the Constituent Assembly may also be at stake.
I unconditionally agree to the founding agreement
If it is supported by citizens in an exit referendum and then ratified in Congress, there is a possibility that the Constituent Assembly may decide to call elections for the country to implement the new constitutional framework.
Despite the obstacles it might have to govern, many of Borek’s goals converge with the work currently being done by the Constitutional Convention, in which the main political force is represented through its sector. Therefore, there is a possibility that Borek will be in power for only two years, making him a transitional government that guarantees the work and security of this democratic process, which stands out, among other things, for the achievement of gender parity, as well as the integration of indigenous peoples and other minorities.
Whoever wins the election probably does so very tightly. The next Chilean president will take office in March 2022, with a divided Congress and possibly fierce opposition that will put his political skills to the test. (Ms)
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