‘A new chapter'

Progressives hope Boric can leave behind a dark past

- John Bartlett

After a dizzying rise from student protest leader to head of state in just over a decade, Gabriel Boric was sworn in last Friday as Chile’s youngest-ever president in front of delegates from the United States, Spain, Argentina and Peru.

Boric, 36, who wore a jacket but no tie for the ceremony in Valparaíso, was flanked by several of the student leaders who served alongside him through two terms in congress and are joining his cabinet.

“This is the best generation of young politicians Chile has had in 50 years,” said Lu is Maira, 81, a former minister who was a mentor to the new president. “Without a shadow of a doubt, Boric is leading us into a new chapter.”

Chile was rocked by months of unrest in 2019 over inequality, corruption and inadequate social welfare. Many of the protesters’ demands echoed those Boric and his contemporaries had demanded as part of a student movement that wanted to see Chile rebuilt with the concerns of its people at the core. It is a vision that Boric has vowed to achieve as president – although a divided congress will probably hamper progress.