Alexander Villegas

SANTIAGO, (Reuters) – Chile’s youngest president, Gabriel Boric (36) will be sworn into office on Friday. He has pledged social and economic reforms and rode a wave against the status quo.

Boric, an ex-protest leader and former lawmaker tattooed, is quite a departure for Sebastian Pinera. Both progressives and fearful of the end result, Boric has raised hopes for Chile’s economic stability over decades.

A broad leftist coalition that includes Chile’s communist party is led by the leader. He has pledged to reform a market-led economy model in order to combat inequality which sparked violence in 2019. However, he has moderated his passionate rhetoric in recent months.

Faced with high inflation, an economic slowdown, and a split Congress, he arrives at his new office. He will have to deal effectively in order to pass reforms for healthcare and pensions and toughen environmental regulations.

Nicholas Watson, Teneo’s Managing Director, said that “a new political horizon brings with it challenges.” He also stated that Boric will have to fight against a Congress divided where he does not possess a majority.

“The biggest challenge to the new administration will be to channel public demand for a social contract, without adversely impacting institutions or economic stability.”

Boric’s ascendance marks a turning point for Chile. Chile has been a stronghold of free markets and economic accountability in volatile South America. This country will rewrite its Constitution from Augusto Pinochet’s era, which has supported growth and been accused of inciting inequality.

Boric will swear in his female-majority cabinet on Friday, before he receives the presidential sash. There will also be delegations from Argentina, Spain and the United States.

Yolanda Diaz from Spain, Spain’s second vice president, tweeted, “This is a time full of hope to defend society, young persons, a clean future and equality” referring specifically to Boric’s environmental-feminist agenda.

However, high hopes could quickly be stifled by a divided legislature and electorate that splits the center between right and left. Boric’s government is also in trouble over issues such as crime, immigration, and indigenous rights.

Pinera, the outgoing president said that “I wish him not just success in his future governments.” “But wisdom to discern right from wrong.”

Pinera stated that he is concerned about identity politics and weakening the judiciary as well as a weak stance against crime.

Carlos Ruiz (an academic from the University of Chile, who taught Boric), said that the country’s right had grown in recent decades, which helped propel Jose Antonio Kast, an ultra-conservative candidate, to victory in December.

Boric stated that he would need to work with the powerful conservative bloc to find consensus on reforms in tax, environment and mining.

Boric said that this was the job he had to do now.