Leftist millennial wins election as Chile’s next president

A leftist millennial who rose to prominence during anti-government protests was elected Chile’s next president on Sunday after a bruising campaign against a free-market firebrand likened to Donald Trump.

With more than 90 per cent of polling stations reporting, Gabriel Boric had 56 per cent of the votes, compared to 44 per cent for his opponent, lawmaker Jose Antonio Kast.

Kast recognised defeat and called his opponent to congratulate him on his “grand triumph” as supporters of Boric gathered in downtown Santiago to celebrate.

Kast, who has a history of defending Chile’s past military dictatorship, finished ahead in the first round of voting last month but failed to secure a majority of votes. That set up a head-to-head runoff against Boric, who finished two points behind.

Boric is the first candidate elected president after losing the first round. He was able to reverse the difference by expanding beyond his base in the capital, Santiago, and attracting voters in rural areas who don’t side with political extremes. For example, in the northern region of Antofagasta, where he finished third in the first round of voting, he trounced Kast by about 20 points.

Meanwhile Boric, who is backed by a coalition of leftist parties that includes Chile’s Communist Party, brought more centrist advisers onto his team and promised that any changes would be gradual and fiscally responsible.