President Gabriel Boric, who famously declared in 2021 that “if Chile was the cradle of neoliberalism, it would also be its tomb,” now finds his transformative ambitions curtailed. As he approaches the end of his term, Boric’s presidency has shifted from radical promises to a more centrist approach.
Boric, once a leading figure in Chile’s student protests and a critic of neoliberalism, now echoes the language of traditional center-left politics. He supports expanding the economy, enforcing tougher crime policies, and condemning the Venezuelan regime. This moderation raises questions: has Boric truly shifted his ideology, or is this a strategic adjustment by a young leader navigating political realities?
Despite his early promises of sweeping reforms in healthcare, education, taxes, and pensions, Boric has largely fallen short. His presidency has not only grappled with the fallout from his administration’s attempts at constitutional reform but has also inadvertently guided Chile back to the centrist policies that characterized its pre-Boric political landscape.
Claudio Alvarado, executive director of Santiago’s Institute of Studies of Society, comments, “If Boric has moderated, it’s not because of a deliberate legacy but a resignation to political realities.”
Boric’s term has been marked by persistent tension between the leftist factions that initially supported him—the Frente Amplio and the communists—and the center-left politicians now driving the practical aspects of governance. This division is particularly evident in his handling of security, where increased policing and stricter penalties have led to a decrease in homicide rates and arson attacks disguised as Indigenous resistance.
However, Boric faces significant challenges beyond security. Chile’s central bank has projected a dismal long-term economic growth rate of just 1.8% for 2025-2034, the lowest since the return to democracy. Complicating matters, permitting delays and a controversial proposal to use renewable energy funds to subsidize electricity are harming the investment climate. Moreover, critical sectors like lithium and green hydrogen are facing obstacles due to resistance from progressive circles.
On the issue of pensions, Boric’s revised strategy includes a potential 6% increase in mandatory paycheck withdrawals to bolster the system, but unresolved details about the state’s role remain. Gabriel Ugarte from the Centro de Estudios Públicos notes that achieving a sustainable system may require an unpopular increase in the retirement age and incentives for formal employment.
Education reform remains stalled as Boric struggles to address significant issues such as high dropout rates and poor quality. His promise to alleviate the $11 billion debt burden on university students has been reduced to a modest refinancing scheme due to failed tax reform efforts.
The public healthcare system, plagued by long wait times and over two million patients awaiting specialist care, continues to face scrutiny amid management issues.
Boric’s administration has also proposed reforms to the political system, including raising the electoral threshold for congressional seats to improve party discipline and governance. Natalia González, a constitutional expert, emphasizes that these measures should be just the beginning of more substantive reforms.
Despite his moderated stance, Boric occasionally indulges his radical past, making statements that resonate with his grassroots supporters. His approval ratings have slightly improved, but his overall political trajectory remains uncertain. At a recent funeral, Boric reflected on his presidency with a sense of regret, acknowledging missed opportunities to redefine Chile’s approach to social issues.
As the 2025 presidential race approaches, the field is shaping up to feature moderates from both sides of the political spectrum. On the center-right, Providencia Mayor Evelyn Matthei leads in polls, while center-left figures like Interior Minister Carolina Tohá and Santiago Metropolitan Region Governor Claudio Orrego are prominent contenders.
This potential shift towards moderate candidates could restore Chile’s stable, centrist politics and offer a path for gradual reform, diverging from the radicalization seen elsewhere in Latin America. Although this may not be the legacy Boric envisioned, his presidency might ultimately be remembered for guiding Chile back to a more balanced political approach.