Chile’s Local Elections: Battleground for Future of Politics
This weekend’s local elections in Chile will serve as a crucial test of political strength, pitting the traditional right-wing coalition against the surging ultra-conservative Partido Republicano, Bloomberg reports.
The outcome of this contest will set the stage for the 2024 presidential election, which may see a face-off between the right and a broad alliance of far-left and center-left parties.
The Partido Republicano, formed in 2019, will be fielding candidates for councilors, mayors, and regional governors across the country for the first time. Led by Jose Antonio Kast, a potential presidential contender, the party echoes many of the issues championed by former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro and Donald Trump, including concerns about immigration and crime.
The Partido Republicano will compete separately from the center-right Chile Vamos coalition, which previously governed the country under former President Sebastian Pinera. In contrast, the ruling administration is presenting a unified front, with its candidates running under a single list.
Voting begins at 8:00 AM on Saturday and concludes at 6:00 PM on Sunday. As the results roll in on Sunday night, several key topics will be closely watched:
• The rise of the Partido Republicano: The party’s performance in these local elections will provide a gauge of its national appeal and its potential to challenge the traditional right-wing coalition.
• The strength of the ruling coalition: The unity of the ruling administration will be tested, with voters assessing the performance of the government’s candidates.
• The potential for a left-wing alliance: The success of the far-left and center-left parties in these elections could signal their ability to form a strong alliance.
