True to his style, without a tie and visibly moved, Boric received the presidential sash from Elizalde and, after a hug with Piñera, sang the national anthem amid a standing ovation from those present on the premises.
Subsequently, Piñera said goodbye and left the premises along with his entire ministerial team.
Upon reaching the street, and in stark contrast to what happened in the hemicycle, the now former president was fired with insults from protesters in the streets.
Boric then swore in his 24-member cabinet, made up of 14 women, starting with Izkia Siches, the first interior minister in the country’s history.
The new president, who emerged from the student movements that shook Chile and was one of the leaders of the historic rebellion of 2006, comes to power with the challenge of undertaking a series of changes that he promised in the campaign.
He comes into office facing an economic slowdown, high inflation and a divided Congress that will test his bargaining power to push through health and pension reforms while tightening environmental regulation.
“A new political horizon brings challenges,” wrote Nicholas Watson, CEO of consultancy Teneo, adding that Boric will have to fight a divided Congress in which he lacks a majority.
“The main challenge facing the incoming government is to channel the public desire for a new social contract without negatively impacting institutions or economic stability,” he said.
Boric’s ascension marks a crossroads for Chile, long a bastion of free markets and economic responsibility in volatile South America. The country is reformulating its Augusto Pinochet-era constitution, which has underpinned growth but is accused of fostering inequality.
Source: Ambito
David William is a talented author who has made a name for himself in the world of writing. He is a professional author who writes on a wide range of topics, from general interest to opinion news. David is currently working as a writer at 24 hours worlds where he brings his unique perspective and in-depth research to his articles, making them both informative and engaging.
