Polling in Chile: between democracy and dictatorship | Opinion

Chile It has had a long tradition of institutional continuity. Since 1820, when the nation-state was asserted, there have been only two moments of institutional rupture, one in the 1890s and one in the 1920s, both of which are very brief.

Even The brutal breakthrough of the 1973 coup. Pinochet ordered the bombing of La Moneda and more The dramatic collapse of Chilean democracy, that lasted until 1990. It took a moderate democratic transition until colossal Popular Mobilization for 2019.

packing made founding agreement, with equal representation of men and women with specific representation of the Mapuche. The conference in which the Mapuche leader was elected to preside.

At the same time, the presidential elections were held, which came with a surprising result, with a candidate in first place far rightAnd Jose Antonio Caste, Two points of advantages over the filter new left Chile Gabriel Borekfrom the broad front.

Caste defeated the presidential candidate Sebastian Pinera, backed by the traditional Chilean right, which has been discredited in large part by the failure of its government, but also by its existence In the Pandora Leaves.

Borek, a former student leader, is a direct participant in the Big Moves In recent years, he has barely reached 35, which is the minimum age to run for president of Chile. Borek defeated the Communist Party candidate from the inner left.

since then, The surveys range from clear advantages for Borek, a revival for Caste, a four-point advantage for him, A week before the second round of elections.

The fluctuations should be maintained until the last minute, especially due to 53% abstentions in the first round. This figure is higher among the young and the poorest segments of the population. To a large extent, the campaign for the second round focused on the search for that enormous unity, existing because of the decision a few years ago that voting was not mandatory – a decision that must be reviewed by the founding agreement. It is unclear how many abstained, who will vote on the ballot and for whom.

Cast openly justifies Pinochet -So for the dictatorship-, For Trump and Bolsonaro. Thus, it represents the extreme right in Chile, Latin America and internationally.

Borek has a democratic, environmental, feminist program, Political decentralization towards the regions. He is supported by leaders of the Latin American left, including Lula and Alberto Fernandez.

One clearly represents Chile’s long democratic tradition. The other embodies the old and new Chilean right, with extreme right-wing positions.

That is the decision that Chile will make next Sunday. Two candidates and two radically opposing currents will face each other.

If Borek wins, Chile will join the group of progressive and anti-neoliberal Latin American governments. If Kast wins, Chile will live isolated in a The Latin American environment is moving in the opposite direction to the extreme right.

Chile again between democracy and dictatorship.