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1 [1] (April 19, 2022)

handle is hein.crs/govegyn0001 and id is 1 raw text is: Congressional Research Serico Informing Ih legisative d bate since 1914 Chile: An Overview Updated April 19, 2022 Chile, located along the Pacific coast of South America, traditionally has been one of the United States' closest partners in Latin America. The country's transition to a higher level of economic development has enabled it to play a more active role in foreign affairs, often in collaboration with the United States. Figure I. Chile at a Glance Sources: CRS Graphics; Instituto Nacional de Estadisticas; Latinobar6metro; International Monetary Fund; Trade Data Monitor; and Ministerio de Desarrollo Social y Familia. Political and Econormic Situation Chile has a long democratic tradition but experienced 17 years of authoritarian rule after a 1973 military coup led by General Augusto Pinochet deposed the democratically elected Socialist government of President Salvador Allende (1970-1973). More than 3,200 people were killed or disappeared and some 38,000 people were imprisoned and/or tortured during the Pinochet dictatorship. Chile restored democracy in 1990, following a 1988 plebiscite. Center-left and center-right coalitions dominated Chilean politics for three decades following the transition. Center- left coalitions held the presidency and majorities in Chile's bicameral congress for most of that period, but Sebastian Pinera led his center-right coalition to power for two nonconsecutive presidential terms (2010-2014, 2018-2022). Both coalitions largely maintained the market-oriented economic framework inherited from Pinochet while implementing consensus-based reforms to gradually expand the Chilean government's role in regulating economic activity and providing social services. Although Chile has experienced significant improvements in living standards since 1990, many Chileans have been disappointed with the results of the post-Pinochet policy consensus. Inequality has remained high, and many Chileans still lack economic security and access to quality public services. Those shortcomings have contributed to majorities in Chile expressing dissatisfaction with how democracy functions in their country in nearly every Latinobardmetro poll conducted since 1995. Social Unrest and Constitutional Reform As the political system has proven unwilling or unable to channel citizens' preferences, Chileans have taken to the streets in mass mobilizations. Social unrest spiraled into violence in October 2019, when protests against an increase in transit fares in Santiago were accompanied by vandalism, arson, and looting. President Pinera's decision to declare a state of emergency and deploy the military to enforce a curfew appears to have triggered public backlash, leading millions of Chileans across the country to join the protests. In an effort to restore peace and respond to demands for a new social contract, the Pinera administration and legislators from across the political spectrum agreed to hold a plebiscite on whether to replace the Pinochet-era constitution. The plebiscite passed with the support of 78% of voters, and in May 2021, Chileans elected a constitutional convention in which predominantly left- leaning independents hold a plurality of seats. The convention may seek to increase the state's role in social service provision, reduce private control over water and other natural resources, grant autonomy to Indigenous peoples, modify the legislative and executive branches, and decentralize governance, among other changes. Each element of the constitution requires the approval of a two- thirds majority of the convention. The convention has until July 2022 to produce a final draft, which is to be submitted to a national referendum for ratification in September. Boric Adminstratnon Gabriel Boric, a 36-year-old former legislator and student leader, was inaugurated to a four-year presidential term in March 2022. Leading the left-wing Apruebo Dignidad coalition, he defeated right-wing populist Jose Antonio Kast with 56% of the vote in a December 2021 runoff election. Boric's campaign platform reflected many of the demands articulated by protesters in 2019. Among other changes, Boric has pledged to usher in a new era of economic and social inclusion by strengthening the public education and health care systems, replacing the privatized pension system, improving working conditions, and advancing the rights of historically marginalized groups. He also has pledged to combat climate change and foster sustainable development. Boric plans to fund such measures by increasing government revenues by 5% of gross domestic product over four years. Advancing that policy agenda may prove challenging. The congress is split nearly evenly between left-leaning and right-leaning parties, with Boric's coalition holding 37 of 155 seats in the Chamber of Deputies and 5 of 50 seats in the Senate. Consequently, Boric faces the difficult task of

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