By Fabian Cambero and Anthony Esposito and Natalia A. Ramos Miranda
SANTIAGO (Reuters) – Chile’s left party celebrated until the early hours of Monday, with thousands taking to the streets of the capital Santiago with flags and banners, the election of Gabriel Boric, who at 35 will become the youngest president in history from the country.
Boric, a former student protest leader who heads a left-wing coalition and promises to reform the Chilean economic model, strenuously defeated far-right rival José Antonio Kast, who quickly admitted defeat, helping to ensure the outcome is certain.
The victory signaled another advance by the left in Latin America and strengthened arguments about a new “pink wave” in the region. The growing poverty fueled by the coronavirus pandemic leans voters more toward those who promise more government and social spending.
“I’m very excited, because this is an achievement of the people. There have been many years of abuse and we need a renewal within politics,” said Patricia Garrido, a Boric supporter, in the midst of a crowd celebrating in the capital’s streets.
“I have a lot of faith and hope in my youth.”
Boric’s rise, as well as the broader voting polarization, has shaken Chile’s markets and frightened miners worried by his rhetoric about “burying” the national market-oriented economic model, pushing for higher taxes and tightening environmental regulations.
On Sunday, in his victory speech, he mentioned indigenous rights, gender equality and the environment, but he also spoke of fiscal responsibility and said he will take care of the economy, while focusing on mining projects that harm the environment.
“We have a huge challenge. I know that, in the coming years, the future of our country is at stake, so I assure you that I will be a president who cares for democracy and does not risk it,” he said.
“I will fight steadfastly against the privileges of the few and I will work every day for the quality of the Chilean family.”
Left leaders across the region celebrated their victory: Alberto Fernández in Argentina, Luis Arce in Bolivia, former Brazilian president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Pedro Castillo, another member from outside the ranks of the traditional left who won the Peruvian presidency in July.
“It’s spectacular. At some point, we thought it would be tighter. Luckily, the fascism of the current extreme right did not win,” said Andrés Rodríguez, another Boric supporter.
Despite a campaign that at times heated up between the two candidates from opposite poles, Kast quickly acknowledged defeat, congratulating Boric and asking that the result be respected, as it is important when the country is trying to heal and unify.
(By Fabian Cambero, Anthony Esposito, Natalia Ramos and Esteban Medel)
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