More than 15 million Chileans will define the successor of President Sebastián Piñera on Sunday, December 19. These were the results of their first debate.
The candidates for the December 19 ballot in Chile, the far right José Antonio Kast and the leftist Gabriel Boric, they faced this Friday in a tense first debate, in which they crossed accusations about their proposals antagonistic of government.
Organized by the Chilean Radio Broadcasters Association (Archi), the debate lasted more than two hours, with constant interpellations about the changes that both candidates have introduced to their government programs for the second round and their most controversial proposals, but also about personal issues.
“We have a difference: when I make a mistake I ask for forgiveness and I am able to amend my position”said Boric, the candidate of the “I Approve Dignity” coalition, which brings together the Broad Front and the Communist Party, accused by Kast of endorsing political violence.
“Did you apologize to the woman who accused you of abuse? This situation has not yet been clarified “Kast replied, annoying Boric, a 35-year-old MP – the minimum age to run for president – demanding a retraction, noting that there is no complaint of abuse against him.
Second round in Chile: José Antonio Kast is presented as the presidential candidate of the order
“Here is an interpellation that seems serious to me and I find it unfortunate that you use a space like this for a topic that you have no idea”, Boric stated.
Later in the debate, Kast – a 55-year-old ultra-conservative lawyer – He apologized to his opponent for speaking of “abuse” and not “harassment.”
Another point that raised controversy, especially in social networks, was the defense that Kast made on the proposal of arresting people in places other than prisons when a “state of exception” is established in the midst of cases of public disturbance.
Chile will have an antagonistic second presidential round between José Antonio Kast and Gabriel Boric
Asked if these spaces could be similar to those used by the Augusto Pinochet dictatorship (1973-1990) to detain opponents, Kast replied: “that’s right.”
The far-rightist also defended his proposal to build a ditch on the northern border to prevent the passage of irregular migrants: “The meaning is to lead people to an enabled step”. The initiative valued it at $ 10 million.
In Chile, the second presidential round will be between opposite poles: Gabriel Boric vs. Jose Antonio Kast
For his part, Boric stated: “I have never considered modifying the flag of which I am proud or the national anthem. The only thing that would change is the motto on the shield, from ‘By reason or by force’ to ‘By force of reason’ ”.
Kast won the first round on November 21 with 27.9% of the vote, compared to 25.8% for Boric, who now leads the polls. (I)
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