Communist will be the candidate of the left coalition to the presidency of Chile

Chile’s left-wing coalition chose communist Jeannette Jara, former Minister of Labor of the Gabriel Boric government, as a presidential candidate in the elections scheduled for November. The lawyer computed more than 60% of the votes, with this becomes the first candidate of the Communist Party of Chile launched to represent the coalition in the national election.

Jara, a 51 -year -old lawyer, was minister of the current government until April. She led important advances during her management in the folder, such as reducing the workday to 40 hours per week, with the support of also communist deputies, and for the pension reform.

The reform introduced a mixed system by combining individual capitalization with a new state insurance, gradually increasing retirement values, which had been severely reduced by the Pinochet dictatorship system.

To gain the position within the governing parties, Jara beat former interior minister Carolina Tohá and deputies Gonzalo Winter (supported by the Boric Party, Front) and Jaime Mulet.

Read more: Karol Cariola is the first communist to preside over the Chamber of Deputies of Chile

Through the networks, the communist received the support of colleagues against whom he disputed. The former minister also published a thank you and spoke of the proposals that will guide your campaign:

“I assume with humility and responsibility the honor of being chosen as the candidate for progressiveness for the next presidential elections. This victory is you, young people, women, workers, families who dream of a fairer Chile and more opportunities […] We will elaborate a government program that puts in the center what really matters: decent jobs, health, decent housing, safety for our families and neighborhoods, economic growth with innovation and care for the environment ”, states the candidate, who will hear the population to compose her program.

Boric greeted the result and said that Jara “immediately leads to the forces of progressivism towards the future ”. According to the president, more than 1.4 million Chileans participated in the primaries, representing the strengthening of democracy

“Now, we are all going to work for the unit, with love and openness to summon most of our compatriots to continue building a fairer, safe and happy country,” said the president.

Read more: Lula and Boric advocate South American integration against global instability

The Chilean Constitution provides for a 4 -year presidential term without the possibility of consecutive reelection. Thus, Boric cannot be candidate for president. The main opponents of Jara in the dispute should be Evelyn Matthei, from the traditional right, and José Antonio Kast, from the far right – defeated by Boric in the second round of 2021.