“IF CHILE was the birthplace of neoliberalism, it will also be its grave,” predicted Gabriel Boric, a candidate for the country’s presidency, in July. He had hoped to be the grave-digger. But in the first round of the presidential election on November 21st he came second to José Antonio Kast, a far-right candidate, who defends the free-market institutions that have shaped the economy since the Pinochet dictatorship of the 1970s and 1980s.
The centrists guided Chile to stability and prosperity but came to be seen as unresponsive to citizens’ demands. A new middle class demanded better pensions, education and health care. The gulf in income between rich and poor remained wide. Voter turnout fell sharply after voting became voluntary in 2012, and is today among the lowest in Latin America. Large demonstrations took place in 2006, 2011 and 2016.
Mr Kast could hardly be more different. He defends Pinochet’s legacy and reviles the social and economic changes sought by the left. In 2017 he left a coalition of established right-wing parties because they were adopting the “slogans of the new left”. His popularity has surged in recent weeks because of fears about rising migration and crime.
The near-tie between Messrs Kast and Boric gives extra influence to the losing candidates. The most closely watched will be Franco Parisi, an economist with a colourful history who came a surprising third, with 13% of the vote. His Party of the People won six seats in Congress’s lower house. He rails against the “political caste” on his YouTube channel . Mr Parisi attracts voters who identify as neither left- nor right-wing. He talks tough on immigration but is economically liberal.
The left have to fight harder to impose over the right. The last one is desperate to exploit the working class more as they have generated a profound crisis hence they are trying hard.
Liberalism and extreme right- wing: a long-lasting love affair.
Antidemocratic extreme right is raising in many places worldwide with strength.From progressive, conservative, libertarian to liberal. Anyone in favor of democracy must unite.
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