Jeannette Jara (Santiago, 51), a member of the Communist Party and the only candidate from the ruling parties that support the administration of President Gabriel Boric, emerged victorious in the first round of the presidential election. The presidential candidate seeks to extend the permanence of the left at the La Moneda palace, which has not happened since 2005 with the election of the socialist Michelle Bachelet as successor to the also socialist Ricardo Lagos.
The lawyer established herself as a presidential candidate thanks to the boost given to her by her management as Minister of Labor in the current government, a position she abandoned to face the presidential race. Under his mandate, Jara pushed forward negotiations that allowed the adoption of laws reducing the working week by 40 hours and pension reform. Despite these successes, the representative of the ruling party finds herself facing a complex panorama, since the last polls published before the ban show that in the second round she would be beaten by any of the main right-wing candidates.
The former minister focused her speech on issues of the economy, migration and security. On other issues, like the decriminalization of abortion – which has been a battle flag of Chilean progressivism – Jara has had to balance his position with that of some parties that support his candidacy, such as the Christian Democrats. On this subject, the candidate declared that she would support the plan for termination of pregnancy without reason presented by the Executive. Another complex issue for the candidate is that of foreign relations, as she has criticized the governments of Cuba and Venezuela, which has been questioned by her own party.
Economy
Jara focused his proposals on maintaining certain advantages obtained under the Boric government and on their expansion. One of the main measures was the imposition of a living income for workers of 750,000 pesos ($795). Added to these actions is the restriction of invoicing in development units (UF) in terms of health, education and rent. It also intends to impose a vital electricity consumption (CEV) system to reduce electricity bills. In union matters, the candidate declared that she would seek to establish negotiations at several levels or branch negotiations.
Retirements
In the area of pensions, the standard-bearer of the left promised to maintain the scope of the reform that appeared under her mandate, which includes the gradual increase in the pension of current retirees. Those responsible for the candidate’s program did not rule out that the former minister would make further changes to the system, beyond what had been agreed under the current administration.
Security
The left-wing representative made the difference with the proposals of the opposition candidates, who focused their speech on strengthening the work of the police and the responsibility of justice. Jara joined the government initiative which seeks to promote the lifting of banking secrecy, in order to follow the route of illicit money. Other initiatives include gun control to reduce the firepower of criminal gangs; the establishment of a biometric register; use of technologies such as drones and artificial intelligence; and strengthening municipal and private security.
Migration
The candidate’s program does not mention mass deportations. Instead, the proposal aims to strengthen the national migration system with labor migration management measures and intercultural coexistence programs. Jara offers temporary national biometric registration to identify foreigners, this registration process will be limited to a maximum of 6 months and those who do not comply will be expelled from the country. Concerning border control, the candidate proposes a Strategic Border Control Plan and a strengthening of security measures with Carabinieri personnel and the support of the Armed Forces.
Accommodation
Before the first round, the official candidate promised the construction of 360,000 housing units to fill Chile’s housing deficit. In the second round, Jara decided to incorporate an idea from standard-bearer Evelyn Matthei of Chile Vamos, the traditional right, left out of the presidential race. The initiative is known as Goodbye pie, that requests that the State provide assistance to people under 40 who have not acquired their first home, by covering the foot (initial payment) of the mortgage loan.
Health
During the second round campaign, the candidate took up an idea from presidential candidate Franco Parisi, of the populist People’s Party, who proposes the return of value added tax (VAT) on the price of medicines. During the first round campaign, Jara presented the program Health for Chileproposes to guarantee access to medicines at home in primary care and to regulate maximum values for essential medicines.
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