With the support received by the Communist candidate, the possibility now clearly opens to continue pursuing and working toward more rights for the majority of Chilean men and women—with stability and security. Now more than ever, we can dream with our feet on the ground, with hope and realism, with confidence and commitment.
The victory of Jeannette Jara in the ruling coalition’s primary is a major triumph for the people and the left.
The surprise does not lie so much in the result itself, as all polls and analyses in the past week pointed to a win for the Communist Party candidate, backed by Humanist Action, the Christian Left, and independents. What may have been surprising, perhaps, was her winning 60% of the vote—a resounding success.
Another unexpected factor is that a Communist Party member won the primary, despite many predicting it was nearly impossible and that her party affiliation would work against her. Overwhelmingly, those opinions have been dismissed by the force of facts and the strength of democracy.
With Jeannette Jara’s victory, a concrete proposal for social and developmental measures has won. A healthy and fresh style of politics has won. An option born from the left and social movements has won.
Stigmatizing, anti-Communist, sectarian, obscurantist, and retrograde theses and perceptions were defeated
The people triumphed through a candidacy that has proven to be connected to their needs and demands—one that, when given governmental responsibility, successfully advanced concrete measures that improved working conditions and quality of life for millions of Chileans.
There is a well-placed trust in Jeannette Jara and the forces supporting her—a belief in a revitalized approach and a steadfast commitment to expanding democracy and social rights.
As stated, now more than ever, we can dream with our feet on the ground, with hope and realism, with confidence and commitment.
This victory has a strategic impact. With the clear support received by the Communist candidate, the path is now open to continue fighting for more rights for the majority of Chileans—with stability and security.
At this moment, we must not forget the loyalty, effective governance, seriousness, and commitment that Communists have always demonstrated in various government roles throughout Chile’s history.
The coming days must bring clarity of objectives, deeper alignment with the people, and better solutions to the country’s pressing issues. At the same time, they must be days of dialogue, openness, intelligence, and collective construction—because today, an alternative has emerged from a coalition of political and social sectors that must remain coordinated and unified.
This has been a pivotal moment for the country’s future, for the realization of transformative ideas, for the improvement of democracy and its institutions, and for the defense of the rights of Chilean men and women.
(El Siglo)
Translation: Francisco Dominguez