Chile prepares to vote in the upcoming presidential election on November 17, the country is poised to make potentially monumental shifts away from its traditionally centrist political climate. With an unexpected surge of left-wing candidates vying for the presidency, Chile is faced with a new era of debate, dialogue and dissidence.
This shift away from Chile’s typically centrist stance, however, doesn’t mean that all the candidates involved are necessarily socialists. In fact, all the candidates are open to varying points of economic and social paradigms, potentially offering vast new changes in the way Chile has always done things. Thus, in this upcoming election, the country is poised to move away from much of its historical centrism in favour of creating a more diverse future for all Chileans to look forward to.
Overview of Chile’s Presidential Election
The 2019 Chilean presidential election will be held on November 17. 10 candidates are vying for the presidency, including those leaning towards leftist views, such as Beatriz Sánchez, the leader of the “Frente Amplio,” or Broad Front. Other candidates come from a variety of backgrounds and represent a variety of ideologies, such as centre-left Sebastián Piñera and right-wing former President Alejandro Guillier. This variety of perspectives gives the Chilean people and economy the opportunity to consider a range of approaches and pathways when designing the future of the country.
Chile’s Centrist History
Chile has had a long, complex history with its movements towards the centre. Since its transition away from dictatorship in the 1980s, the country has embraced a variety of economic and social policies that lean towards the centre-right, though many details of involvement in specific areas have changed over time. These economic and social policies have been largely characterized by extreme support for free market capitalism, but with increasing taxes and importance placed on social welfare programs. This position on the political spectrum, referred to as neoliberalism, has become one of the predominant forces shaping Chile’s political landscape for a long time, giving rise to growth in the economy but at times causing significant inequality.
The Emergence of New Movements
In recent years, however, a number of significant events have taken place that have challenged Chile’s centrist paradigm. These events, from numerous large scale protests to high profile calls for freedom of speech, have resulted in a wide range of responses from the Chilean people, demanding greater change and engagement from their traditional leadership. This has resulted in increasing support for a range of political perspectives and policies which would stand in contrast with Chile’s traditional centrist agenda.
How the Election Could Change Chile
Although it remains to be seen how exactly the Chilean people will vote in the upcoming election, it is clear that the range of possible outcomes is vast. This means that Chile could be on the brink of great change, both economically and socially. If the centre-left candidate Piñera is elected, for example, the country could immediately look to the development of a more extensive welfare system for the poor, and potentially an increase in public investments in infrastructure and education. Or, if the more left-leaning Beatriz Sanchez is elected as president, it could pave the way for greater redistribution of wealth from the wealthy towards the working and middle classes, as well as greater public control. And, if the more traditional Alejandro Guillier is elected, a continuation of the existing policy of neoliberalism could remain in place, although with potentially greater taxation and regulation for the upper classes.
Enumerating the Candidates
As the Chilean people prepare to vote in the upcoming presidential election, here is list of the 10 candidates vying for the presidential seat:
- Beatriz Sanchez: The leader of the “Frente Amplio” (Broad Front) and the most left-leaning candidate in the running.
- Sebastián Piñera: Representing a more traditional centre-left political stance.
- Alejandro Guillier: Former president, representing a continuation of the existing policy of neoliberalism.
- Jose Antonio Kast: The leader of the far-right “Chile Vamos” (Let’s Go Chile) movement.
- Carolina Goic: Leader of the Christian Democrat Party and has campaigned on a platform of social justice and progressive values.
- Marco Enríquez-Ominami: Broadcast journalist who advocates for socio-economic reform.
- Joaquin Lavin: Politician, representing the more traditional right of centre ideology.
- Pedro Fernandez: A leader of the Autonomist Party, advocating for greater Chilean autonomy.
- Mario Ampuero: A populist candidate who has been critical of the Chilean government.
- Gabriel Boric: Leader of the Frente Autonomista, advocating for greater autonomy for Chile.
The upcoming Chilean presidential election is poised to be a pivotal moment for Chile’s future. After a period of political stagnation and a long history of centrist policies, the Chilean people have the chance to shift the country away from the status quo and towards a variety of new ideologies and perspectives. With a wide range of candidates ranging from the centre to the left, the Chilean people have a plethora of options to consider, and the potential for a major move away from the long-standing centre-right policies which have traditionally shaped the country’s future. Whichever way the Chilean people decide to go, the election will likely be remembered as one of the most important and influential elections in the country’s recent history.
