Jakarta, CNN Indonesia —
left wing politician, Gabriel Boric, easily won the second round presidential election Chile on Sunday (18/12).
Boric managed to get 56 percent of the vote and easily beat his senior in parliament, Jose Antonio Kast.
“I will do my best to face this extraordinary challenge. I will be the president of all Chileans,” said Boric after the vote count declared his victory.
Boric also thanked the Chilean people for putting their trust in him to lead the country.
Boric reiterated his vision and mission to make Chile a more humane, dignified and egalitarian country.
Quoted AFPThe 35-year-old politician also promised to expand and protect the social rights of Chileans.
During the campaign, Boric was vocal against the injustice of the free market and economic inequality. Many consider Boric’s campaign rhetoric to be similar to that of former US President Donald Trump.
Boric’s name was increasingly highlighted after he became a supporter of anti-government protests.
With this victory, Boric will become the youngest president of Chile in history. He will be sworn in in March.
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Photo: AFP/CLAUDIO REYES Gabriel Boric greeting the supporters. (Photo by CLAUDIO REYES / AFP)- – |
Boric also became the second millennial president to lead a Latin American country after El Salvador’s President, Nayib Bukele.
Kast previously won the most votes in the first round of the presidential election last November, even two points ahead of Boric. However, because Kast failed to win a majority, the second round of the presidential election was held.
Surprisingly, Boric managed to overturn the results of the first round of elections and came out victorious.
In fact, during the campaign, competitors including Kast often frightened voters that Boric was not experienced enough to lead the country at such a young age.
Kast even bluntly said that he was afraid that Boric would overturn Chile’s record as the Latin American country with the most stable and developed economy in the region.
However, after the vote count was completed and announced, Kast publicly admitted his defeat and welcomed Boric’s victory.
Through a tweet, Kast uploaded a photo on the phone with Boric to congratulate his opponent on his victory. He even planned to go to the headquarters of the Boric campaign team to meet and congratulate him.
Meanwhile, quoted Associated Press, President Sebastian Pinera who is about to step down also offered his full support to the Boric government. Pinera promised to help transition the new government.
The people of Chile also celebrated Boric’s victory as their new president. The streets of the capital Santiago and several other major cities in Chile were filled with tens of thousands of people celebrating the results of the presidential election. Slogans and posters of support for Boric were raised in the crowd.
The sound of car horns and fireworks also enlivened the celebration of Boric’s victory.
“I was so happy, I cried because I was happy. We succeeded in repelling fascism,” said a resident, Jennie Enriquez (45).
“I am happy because there are many changes that will help society and the working class,” said another resident, Luis Astorga (58), who is a construction worker.
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