As of 2021, the new president of Chile is an eco-friendly millennial leftist without a First Lady, who’s also an ardent defender of human rights, with lots of tattoos and a big dream.
Gabriel Boric is now officially the youngest president in Chile’s history and the first far-right head of state in 30 years. He won the second round of elections on December 19, 2021. The 35-year-old politician and former student leader beat his rival, Jose Antonio Casta, with nearly 56 percent of the votes and now intends to radically change the country’s life through a series of social reforms after his inauguration on March 11, 2022, so now it’s time to learn a few neat facts about this guy!
1. Descendant of emigrants
Boric was born into the family of a chemical engineer whose ancestors emigrated from Croatia to Chilean Patagonia in the late 19th century in search of a better life. The future politician grew up in the picturesque province of Magallanes in the south of Chile, and that’s where he started his political career when he was 27.
2. Young activist
While studying law at the University of Chile, Boric was elected chairman of the student union, and in 2011 he became one of the leaders of thousands of rallies against inequality in the education system. Protests spread to the streets, forcing the authorities to negotiate and finally do something. These events determined the future of the activist. Borych graduated from university but did not get his law degree, focusing on his political career. Two years after, he earned a deputy mandate.
3. President of the people
In his election program, Boric promised to increase the minimum wage by 50%, reduce the weekly work hours from 45 to 40, and significantly increase public spending on the social sphere, including health insurance and helping the poor. At the same time, the new president wants to raise taxes for wealthy Chileans and the private sector and fees for mining. This way, Boric intends to build a European-style social democracy in Chile.
4. The Pinochet-era slayer
During his election campaign, Boric promised to “end the neoliberalism” introduced in Chile under the regime of the right-wing authoritarian dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet. In particular, the newly elected president plans to replace the private pension system with a state-funded one, promising to raise the basic pension to $300.
5. He’s concerned about the environment
As a true millennial, Boric not only loves Taylor Swift, but realizes the importance of protecting the environment. Chile is the world’s largest producer of copper, but the newly elected president is ready to block one of the new mining projects to fight climate change. In addition, the politician promises to lean into green investments heavily, deal with coal-fired power plants by 2025, and adapt the country’s infrastructure to be prepared for future climate change.
6. He fights for equality
After the election, Boric thanked Chile’s women, who banded together to protect the rights they fought for, like the right to vote and abortion, both of which have been at the forefront of his election agenda. Boric promises to involve more women, as well as representatives of indigenous peoples and other minorities, in governing the country. Gabriel also advocates for equal rights for the LGBT community, including legalizing same-sex marriage.
7. President without a First Lady
Boric is single, but for the last 2.5 years, he has been dating an Irish woman Irina Karamanos. The 32-year-old feminist activist shares her partner’s political views and is a member of his party. Borych once said that there should be no positions in the government that stem from the president’s personal relations with others and that positions of power should be distributed according to abilities. Wise words. Now let’s see if he can back them up with actions!
