Left-wing candidate Gabriel Boric, 35, won a surprise victory over his far-right opponent in the Chilean presidential election with nearly 56% of the vote.
"I will do my best to overcome this great test," Boric said after winning the December 19 election, thanking Chileans for their faith in him.
Boric, a former student activist, became Chile's youngest president with a pledge to establish a "welfare state", increasing taxes and social spending in one of the world's most unequal countries.
Boric won against ultra-conservative rival Jose Antonio Kast, who won 44% of the vote. Kast posted on Twitter congratulating Boric even before the election results were announced.
"I just spoke with him and I congratulated him on his great victory. From today onwards, Boric is the President-elect of Chile, deserving of all the respect and cooperation that brings him. our constructiveness. Chile always comes first," Kast said.
People took to the streets of the capital Santiago to celebrate after Boric was declared the new president. They honked their horns, waved pro-Boric banners, waved multicolored LGBTQ flags and chanted: "Long live Chile!". Some people lit fireworks to celebrate.
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"I'm emotional and I'm crying with joy. We've dealt a blow to fascism!", pharmacy worker Jennie Enriquez, 45, said.
"I'm very happy because there are going to be many changes that will benefit the people and the working class," said construction worker Luis Astorga, 58.
The new president will face the daunting task of healing a society reeling from a polarizing campaign filled with dissident attacks and fake news. Boric on December 19 reiterated his plan to build "a more humane, dignified and egalitarian Chile".Santiago Chile Retro Mountain Sunset Design T-Shirt
"We have hope, we believe we are entering another phase in Chile, where we can test the concept of the welfare state," said Sebastian Vera, a 35-year-old history teacher who supports Boric. , speak.
President Sebastian Pinera, who left office with low approval ratings, said the country was living in "an environment of extreme polarization, confrontation and contention". Pinera urged his successor to never forget "will be the president of all Chileans, not just his supporters".
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