«It is incomprehensible how the people can vote for a fascist candidate.»
The first round of the presidential election will take place in Chile on Sunday. This is likely to lead to a decision on the direction the country will take. Felipe Rojas Cortés from the Methodist Church in Chile reports on the mood and background, the feared consequences for migrants, and a dilemma facing the church. He also draws parallels with Europe.
Felipe, what is the mood like in Chile right now, and what are people concerned about in the run-up to the elections?
First: I am reporting here as a Methodist, sociologist, and pastor of the Methodist Church in Chile. The current situation in Chile is marked by uncertainty due to political polarization. The counter-information from the extreme right is most striking. It supports a candidate who is directly associated with neoliberal practices and capitalism. In addition, he displays socio-cultural attitudes that have led to the invisibility of human rights, not only in the present day, but also during the military dictatorship in Chile. It is incomprehensible how the people can vote for a fascist candidate. But the answer is simple: counter-information, disinformation, and poor political practices have led him to maintain a public agenda with elements that were lightweight and like a house of cards that collapsed. Yet the candidate has not improved anything, let alone acknowledged the obvious progress made by the government of current President Bóric.
What is the position of the church or church leadership? Are there preferences, or are opinions divided? What are the fears and hopes for the coming weeks?
The Church's position is to call for informed voting and not to believe fake news or promises that deviate from Christian teaching. It wants to build the Kingdom of God; a kingdom of peace, justice, solidarity, and liberation—not oppression. Our concerns are the same as those of every citizen. We observe the radical nature of the positions taken and wonder how this will affect the implementation of public measures that affect everyday life. In other words, what the future holds in terms of reducing inequality, growth and social stability, education and sustainable development.
What impact will the election have on people who are in a vulnerable position in society, particularly migrants?
The consequences are manifold: on the one hand, one candidate has expressed his complete rejection of people with a migrant background. These people are the most marginalized and their rights are systematically violated. Unfortunately, these effects are part of a socio-political program with a propagandistic approach that has led to destabilization. Thus, the establishment of an emergency government, as demanded by the far-right candidate, is seen as a kind of balm for the alleged crisis in which we live. However, we believe that there are clear guidelines in this regard, in line with the political programs of the individual candidates. One was open and we know the direction his government project is taking, while with another we are afraid. Because at the moment, he is no longer concerned with the program, but with coming to power.
What impact will the election have on the social work of the Methodist Church in Chile?
Social programs related to gender equality, recognition of indigenous peoples, migration, etc., are not very visible. This low visibility will increase. But if we look at the whole picture from the perspective that the church is a community, we understand that our churches are places of refuge for minorities, the marginalized, the oppressed, and those persecuted by society. The church is once again faced with a dilemma: silence can „save” lives, but it makes it an accomplice to social misery. However, the prophetic voice that the church must raise will also be an expression of unshakeable faith. This can be persecuted because it denounces structural social sins.
What else is important for you to say?
- The elections in Chile show how the loss of trust in traditional parties can open the door to candidates with harsh rhetoric who weaken the separation of powers and the independence of the judiciary.
- Electing a politician who neither promotes citizen participation nor respects minorities can lead to restrictions on civil liberties, persecution, and concentration of power in the executive branch, which has lasting effects on democracy.
- Chile's experience warns Europe that social discontent, if not channeled through transparent institutions and genuine participation, can lead to authoritarian options that promise quick order at the expense of democratic rights and controls.
Elections in Chile
The first round of the presidential election will take place in Chile on Sunday. The election is likely to be a decision between the far right and the left. A total of eight candidates are running to succeed left-wing President Gabriel Boric. The favorites are the far-right Pinochet fan José Antonio Kast, whose father was a Wehrmacht soldier under the Nazis, and the social democrat Jeannette Jara. Although she is still a member of the Communist Party, she is considered a moderate leftist. Half of the senators and all 155 members of parliament will also be newly elected. Source: «Die Zeit»
The Methodist Church in Chile...
...is strongly committed to helping migrants, among other things. The church does this at the political level, but also in very practical ways: parishes offer lunch or childcare, provide emergency assistance, or offer legal and health advice.
SRF has produced a „mitenand“ report on this topic. It can be found here: Link to the article
Connexio develop supports the project «Future for Migrants in Chile» with financial contributions.
Connexio develop, Zurich, CH44 0900 0000 1574 7157 9, reference «Migrants Chile»
