By Natalia A. Ramos Miranda

SANTIAGO, Reuters – Chilean voters split over what the future holds ahead of a historic presidential election Sunday. The two polarized candidates – one promising social change while the other promising to be tougher on law and order – are both competing for the presidency.

The election will see ultra-conservative Jose Antonio Kast https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/chiles-kast-channels-pinochets-ghost-against-communist-left-2021-12-15 and leftist Gabriel Boric https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/student-leader-president-chiles-boric-eyes-historic-election-win-2021-12-15 go head-to-head after closing their campaigns this week, where they looked to win over middle-ground voters who could make the difference in a tight race.

Julia Acevedo (80), a housewife, said that democracy is what is now at stake in Chile. She was there to witness Boric’s final campaign in Santiago. He, who is still young, has the ability to make a change in this country.

Kast supporters want stability, however. According to them, Boric, who is adamant about Chile’s market-oriented economy model that stokes inequality and has attacked Kast supporters for his support of the Communist Party alliance against him will destroy decades of stability and growth.

Margarita Noguera waved a Chilean flag with the picture of Kast, 55 years old. She said she had lived through the “leftist dictatorship” of democratically-elected socialist president Salvador Allende in the 1970s.

“I had to suffer a lot like so many Chileans.”

Angela Marambio 53 said that although she had voted for a centre-right candidate in November’s first round, she was now switching to Kast for this run-off.

She stated that Chile needs order, stability and security.

‘POVERTY LINE’

Kast, who is also a lawyer, and the religious father of nine kids, defends the economic legacy that dictator Augusto Pinochet left behind. His bloody military rule between 1973-1990 overthrew Allende, leading to the establishment of the country’s economic system.

Protests were hugely organized against the model in 2019, which was blamed for many issues, including inadequate private pensions and expensive education.

Cristian Morales (51), a Punta Arenas official, Chile’s south tip. He said that the leftist candidate would finally make things better.

Morales stated that he does not think he can make the necessary changes, but will speed up the process. He cited plans to spend on education and pensions.

“If my retirement were tomorrow, I’d be below the poverty level.” Two young children are my responsibility. Education can be expensive. The state must get involved if we are to see more social solidarity.

Boric was a student leader who fought for higher education quality and made a name for himself by leading protests against poor education. He now seeks to harness the demand for change that has been elicited from Chile’s 2019 demonstrations.

Kast, however, has gone against the grain with an aggressive message about law and order which appeals to significant segments of the country that are tired of protests.

Enrique Zuleta is 41 years old and a local businessman. He said that over the years he had voted for the centre-left coalition which managed much of the postdictatorship period. This gave Chile stability. Now, he supports Kast.

He said, “I didn’t grow up in any right-wing environment, but my vote today is pragmatic for the national benefit.”

“Kast is prone to ideologic issues that I don’t agree with. However, he said that he would comply with the laws. That is very important for me.”

Boric supporters say he will defend issues such as women’s rights to abortion – allowed only in certain circumstances – and will respect sexual diversity, in focus after the country this month approved https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/love-is-love-chile-legalizes-same-sex-marriage-historic-vote-2021-12-07 same-sex marriage.

Kast has criticised both gay marriage and abortion.

Recent polls show that women vote more for Boric than men, and especially young women.

Andrea Ramirez, 26, a public administrator said that Kast is what he was afraid of. He is concerned about the environment and state’s role in the country, as well as the future of Chileans’ pensions. Und welche rights will women get?