At the Congress Building in the port city of Valparaíso, Boric, a tattooed former protest leader and MP, took the oath of office from outgoing billionaire President Sebastian Pinera, making him the country’s youngest elected leader.
“In front of the people of Chile, I make my vows,” said Boric, who wore a shirt and jacket in a sign of changing times but no tie, which was unheard of for straight-up male presidents in Chile.
Boric’s rise has raised hope among progressives in Chile, long a conservative bastion of free markets and fiscal prudence in volatile South America, but also raised fears that decades of economic stagnation could be undone. . ,
The copper-producing country is in the midst of redrawing its Pinochet-era constitution, which has curtailed growth but has been blamed for fostering inequality, which led to Chile for months in 2019 Violence ensued. It was opposed.
Pinochet, whose shadow still looms over the Andean country, overthrew socialist President Salvador Allende, who committed suicide during a military coup in 1973. Boric has often praised Allende’s legacy.
“He reminds me of Allende, but I hope it has a happy ending,” said 62-year-old Marigne Vargas, who traveled all night outside Congress to attend Boric’s inauguration. “We want a more united, happier Chile.”
‘Things are on’
Borick faces challenges from an economic downturn, high inflation and a divided legislature that will test his bargaining ability to push reforms to health care and pensions while tightening environmental regulation.
Carlos Ruiz, an academic at the University of Chile who teaches Boric, said Boric would have to deal with a growing ultra-Orthodox bloc, which did well in elections last year and built a consensus to push for its reforms.
“They are now working ahead of Boric,” he said.
Boric’s women-majority cabinet was sworn in on Friday, with delegations from the United States, Spain, Argentina, Peru and others in attendance.
Amidst a sea of suits and military apparel, a section of the Senate was filled with representatives of Chile’s various indigenous communities in traditional dress.
“This is a sign that this is going to be an inclusive government,” Cecilia Flores, an indigenous Aymara, told Reuters in the chamber, adding that it was the first time representatives of each indigenous group attended the inauguration.
“It’s going to be a government that will make the social changes that Chile is fighting for, especially for indigenous groups.”
High expectations can quickly crumble against divided voters and the legislature, splitting the middle between the right and the left. Emerging issues of crime, immigration and indigenous rights mean that Boric’s government has a lot to offer.
“I wish him success in his future government,” President Pinera said in his final address, but cited concerns about identity politics, the weakening of the judiciary, and crime. Wisdom to do too.”