Gabriel Boric will become the new president of Chile this Friday and the first president who is not part of the two center blocs that governed the country since the return to democracy, in 1990.
(Read here: The curious Pokémon gift that Japan gave to the president-elect of Chile)
The former student leader won the second round in December by more than 55.8 percent of the votes and almost 12 points of differenceagainst the far-right José Antonio Kast.
Defender of the constituent process in which Chile is immersed and critic of the neoliberal model installed during the military regime (1973-1990)Boric wants to expand the role of the State towards a welfare model similar to that of Europe.
In addition, she will lead a feminist government with 14 women and 10 men, in which the person who will have the most power within the future Cabinet will be the independent doctor Izkia Siches, the first woman to hold the position of Minister of the Interior in Chile.
The investiture ceremony will take place at noon in the National Congresslocated in the city of Valparaíso, with a strict health protocol and limited capacity due to the pandemic.
Nearly 500 guests are expected to attend, compared to 1,300 for previous investitures, including 11 heads of state or government from around the world, among which the presidents Guillermo Lasso (Ecuador) and Luis Abinader (Dominican Republic) stand out; the King of Spain, Felipe VI, and the ruler of Paraguay, Mario Abdo, who stressed that the collaboration between the two countries has allowed “advance in a process of strategic integration.”
Likewise, there will be the president of Peru, Pedro Castillo, who wished “comrade and brother Boric (…) the best of success and that his management be what the people need”, and the leaders of Uruguay, Luis Lacalle pou; Bolivia, Luis Arce; in addition to the Prime Ministers of Haiti, Ariel Henry, and Guyana, Mark Phillips, and the representative of the US Government, Isabella Casillas.
(In other news: Chile celebrates its first same-sex weddings)
One of the last tasks that Boric carried out before assuming power occurred yesterday when he met with the outgoing Chilean president, Sebastián Piñera (who leaves power with 70% disapproval), to execute the traditional process of merging power.
Something that was extraordinary, and broke the protocols, was the conversation that the incoming president had with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan, Kiyoshi Odawara, who gave him a pokeball and a stuffed animal who, at just 36 years old, will be the youngest president of Chilean history.
EFE
More news
#Gabriel #Boric #assumes #reins #presidency #Chile #Friday