Right-wing populist José Antonio Kast has congratulated Gabriel Boric on his election victory in Chile.
– I voted for Gabriel Boric. The reason is that I see him as a young man with new ideas and self-confidence to implement the changes that Chileans want, in terms of gender inequality, basic public services and the environment, the voter Daniel Medel Diaz in the capital Santiago tells VG.
Just before midnight, Norwegian time, José Antonio Kast acknowledged the defeat.
“I congratulate him on his great triumph. As of today, he is the elected President of Chile and deserves all our respect and our constructive cooperation. Chile always comes first “, writes Kast Twitter.
Hoping for increased taxes
Boric led by around 10 percentage points when about 70 percent of the ballots were counted, writes NTB. The 35-year-old represents the Dignity Alliance, which includes the Communist Party.
The 35-year-old will be the youngest president in Chile in recent times. He was previously a student activist and was elected to the National Assembly in 2014.
–“I expect Boric to do something about the inequalities in society, by giving the state more responsibility for basic services that the free market has not tackled,” says Diaz.
– I also hope that he increases the taxes to those who earn the most and that he the state in the future takes a leading role in renewable energy, he adds.
–– Too young and naive
For Valentina Salvador, another voter in Santiago that VG has spoken to, the presidential election had a disappointing outcome.
She describes José Antonio Kast as a strong and tough politician and therefore voted for him.
– I voted for Kast, because he has been very consistent with his opinions. Gabriel Boric is too young and naive to lead a nation. I believe that Kast has the necessary maturity and experience to lead the country and create a more peaceful and stable place, Salvador believes.
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