Chile Elects Socialist Leader Gabriel Boric to Presidency

Former student leader and a known leftist politician, Gabriel Boric, has been elected President of Chile.

The socialist leader, who will take the oath of office early next year, has vowed to end income inequality in the country by raising the minimum wage and expanding social safety nets.

The president-elect has also promised to end the country’s many neoliberal policies such as the private pension system.

The 35-years-old leader will be the youngest person ever to become the President of Chile. Boric defeated right-wing rival Jose Antonio Kast by 10 points.

Economic inequality has long been a hot political topic in the South American country. According to the United Nations, barely 1% of Chileans own 25% of the country’s wealth.

The young leader promised that his government will make sure that the poor do not “keep paying the price of Chile’s inequality”.

To reduce inequality, he would raise the minimum wage and make education and healthcare cheaper and affordable for all.

To finance his social welfare programs, he will impose more tax on the wealthy and the companies involved in copper mining.

Analysts say Boric is a matured politician and that he will not push for extreme socialistic policies. He cannot do so even if he hopes to do so. That’s because he does not represent any political party in Congress. He has to convince other parties to push his reforms through the legislative body.