1970 Chilean presidential election
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| 1970 Chilean presidential election | |
|---|---|
 MP DDT · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source | |
| Election name | 1970 Chilean presidential election |
| Country | Chile |
| Type | presidential |
| Previous election | 1964 Chilean presidential election |
| Previous year | 1964 |
| Next election | 1973 Chilean Chilean presidential election |
| Next year | 1973 |
| Election date | 4 September 1970 |
| Turnout | 83.3% |
| Nominee1 | Salvador Allende |
| Party1 | Socialist Party of Chile |
| Alliance1 | Popular Unity |
| Popular vote1 | 1,070,334 |
| Percentage1 | 36.6% |
| Nominee2 | Jorge Alessandri |
| Party2 | Independent |
| Alliance2 | National Party |
| Popular vote2 | 1,031,159 |
| Percentage2 | 35.3% |
| Nominee3 | Radomiro Tomic |
| Party3 | Christian Democratic Party |
| Popular vote3 | 821,801 |
| Percentage3 | 28.1% |
| Title | President |
| Before election | Eduardo Frei Montalva |
| Before party | Christian Democratic Party |
| After election | Salvador Allende |
| After party | Socialist Party of Chile |
1970 Chilean presidential election was a pivotal event in the political history of South America, held on 4 September 1970. The election featured a three-way contest between Salvador Allende of the left-wing coalition Popular Unity, former president Jorge Alessandri running as an independent with support from the right-wing National Party, and Radomiro Tomic of the incumbent Christian Democratic Party. Allende's narrow plurality victory, confirmed by the Congress of Chile in October, marked the first democratic election of a Marxist head of state in the Western Hemisphere, setting Chile on a path of profound social transformation and intense political conflict.
Background
The political landscape in the late 1960s was shaped by the ambitious but incomplete reforms of President Eduardo Frei Montalva's "Revolution in Liberty." His administration, backed by the Christian Democratic Party, had pursued policies like partial copper nationalization and agrarian reform, yet failed to satisfy the growing demands of the working class and peasant movements. This discontent fueled the rise of the Popular Unity coalition, uniting Salvador Allende's Socialist Party of Chile with the Communist Party of Chile and smaller leftist groups like the Radical Party of Chile. Simultaneously, the right, represented by the National Party and conservative sectors alarmed by the Cuban Revolution and Cold War tensions, consolidated behind the candidacy of Jorge Alessandri. The election occurred amidst significant economic strain and increasing social mobilization, creating a highly polarized atmosphere.
Candidates and platforms
The Popular Unity coalition nominated veteran senator Salvador Allende, a physician and founding member of the Socialist Party of Chile. His platform, "The Chilean Road to Socialism," promised a peaceful transition to socialism via constitutional means, including the full nationalization of the copper industry, major industries, and banks, alongside an acceleration of land redistribution. The right united behind former President Jorge Alessandri, an independent conservative backed by the National Party and business elites. His campaign emphasized economic orthodoxy, law and order, and staunch anti-communism, positioning him as a bulwark against Marxism. The centrist candidate was Radomiro Tomic, representing the ruling Christian Democratic Party, who advocated a "non-capitalist path of development" with more profound structural reforms than those of Eduardo Frei Montalva, seeking to capture the left-leaning electorate.
Campaign
The campaign was intensely polarized and marked by unprecedented foreign intervention. The administration of U.S. President Richard Nixon, through the Central Intelligence Agency and the 40 Committee, authorized covert operations and funding to prevent an Allende victory, channeling support to Jorge Alessandri and engaging in propaganda efforts via outlets like El Mercurio. Domestically, massive rallies were held by all sides, with Allende drawing huge crowds in Santiago and industrial centers like Concepción. The Christian Democratic Party, under pressure from its left wing, maintained a critical distance from Alessandri, refusing to form an anti-Allende front. Key issues debated included the future of the Anaconda and Kennecott copper mines, inflation, and the role of the Armed Forces of Chile.
Results
The election on 4 September yielded an extremely close result. Salvador Allende secured a narrow plurality with 36.6% of the vote (1,070,334 votes), followed closely by Jorge Alessandri with 35.3% (1,031,159 votes), and Radomiro Tomic with 28.1% (821,801 votes). As no candidate achieved an absolute majority, the election was constitutionally thrown to a joint session of the Congress of Chile. According to tradition, Congress was expected to ratify the plurality winner. However, the period between the popular vote and the congressional vote on 24 October was one of extreme tension. Efforts by the Central Intelligence Agency to persuade the Christian Democratic Party to back Alessandri failed. Instead, the party, led by outgoing President Eduardo Frei Montalva, negotiated a "Statute of Democratic Guarantees" with Allende, ensuring respect for civil liberties and the military chain of command, which secured their votes in Congress.
Aftermath
The congressional confirmation of Salvador Allende on 24 October, 1970, was immediately followed by political crisis. On 22 October, the Commander-in-Chief of the Chilean Army, General René Schneider, a constitutionalist, was assassinated by a far-right group with ties to Central Intelligence Agency-backed elements, in a failed attempt to trigger a coup d'état and prevent Allende's accession. Allende was inaugurated as President on 3 November 1970, beginning an ambitious program of reforms known as the "Chilean transition to socialism." His administration faced relentless opposition from the Congress, the judiciary, domestic business groups like the Confederación de la Producción y del Comercio, and the Nixon administration, which enforced an economic blockade. This period of extreme polarization culminated in the 1973 Chilean coup d'état, the bombing of the La Moneda Palace, Allende's death, and the establishment of the military dictatorship of General Augusto Pinochet.
Category:1970 elections in Chile Category:Presidential elections in Chile Category:1970 in Chilean politics