Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI
Wednesday, 16 July 2025
Santiago de Chile (Agenzia Fides) – “I call on the presidential candidates to respect the dignity of their opponents; never to use violence, in any form, as a political method; to be an example of civic culture, generosity, and mutual respect for young people; and to promote ideas, not hatred,” said Cardinal Fernando Garib Chomalì, Archbishop of Santiago de Chile, in an appeal ahead of the upcoming presidential elections to be held in Chile in November.Chilean politics is in a transitional phase, and the 2025 elections are expected to be among the most polarized in Chilean history, with a sharp clash between a radical left and an ultra-conservative right. While on Sunday, July 13, the Republican Party (REP), the Christian Social Party (PSC), and the National Libertarian Party (PNL) sanctioned the birth of the “United Right,” for the first time in Chile’s history, a female candidate will win the left-wing primaries. This candidate is Jeannette Jara, who, however, represents less radical positions than her party.The massive immigration of the past ten years, which has exceeded one million people, combined with an unprecedented wave of violence in Chilean society, has transformed the political landscape. Just a few days ago, current President Gabriel Boric sounded the alarm, denouncing the infiltration of the armed forces by organized crime and the involvement of its members in drug trafficking networks using military resources and logistics.The first round of the presidential election is scheduled for November 16. If no candidate receives more than 50% of the vote, a runoff election will be held on December 14 between the two candidates with the most votes. The members of the National Congress and the president will be elected for the next four years. Boric will not be eligible to run again. (AP) (Agenzia Fides, 16/7/2025)
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