Chile Vamos

Chile Vamos. It was a major centre-right political coalition in Chile, active from 2015 until its formal dissolution in 2022. The alliance was formed to unify the country's principal right-wing forces ahead of the 2017 Chilean general election. It succeeded the earlier coalition Alliance and was itself succeeded by Chile Podemos Más.

History

The coalition was officially launched on 29 January 2015, bringing together the main parties of the Chilean right which had previously operated under the Alliance banner. Its formation was a strategic move to present a united front for the 2017 Chilean general election, ultimately leading to the victory of its presidential candidate, Sebastián Piñera. During Piñera's second presidency, which began in 2018, Chile Vamos formed the governing coalition, navigating significant national events including the 2019–2022 Chilean protests and the COVID-19 pandemic in Chile. The coalition played a central role in the 2020 Chilean national plebiscite and the subsequent election of the Constitutional Convention. Following the 2021 Chilean general election, and ahead of the next electoral cycle, the member parties agreed to reconfigure the alliance, leading to its dissolution on 11 March 2022 and its replacement by Chile Podemos Más.

Member parties

The coalition was composed of three principal member parties, each with distinct historical roots and political traditions. The largest member was Renovación Nacional (RN), a traditional centre-right party with origins in the opposition to the military government of Augusto Pinochet. The second major force was the Unión Demócrata Independiente (UDI), a socially conservative and economically liberal party founded by figures associated with the Pinochet regime, such as Jaime Guzmán. The third core member was Evópoli, a newer party representing a more modern, liberal-conservative strand within the coalition. At various times, smaller groups like the Partido Regionalista Independiente (PRI) and independents aligned with the coalition also participated in its electoral lists and government.

Ideology and political positions

Ideologically, the coalition spanned a spectrum from centre-right to right-wing, synthesizing Conservatism, Liberal conservatism, and Economic liberalism. Its economic platform strongly supported Free market policies, Foreign direct investment, and the management model of key industries like CODELCO. On social issues, a diversity of views existed between its member parties; while the Unión Demócrata Independiente held staunchly socially conservative positions, other factions were more liberal. The coalition generally advocated for a strong national police force and supported the military. Its stance during the constitutional process was to advocate for substantial reforms rather than a completely new charter, opposing the draft written by the Constitutional Convention led by Elisa Loncon.

Electoral performance

The coalition first contested the 2017 Chilean general election, successfully electing Sebastián Piñera as President and securing a strong plurality in the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate. In the 2017 Chilean parliamentary election, it became the largest bloc in both chambers of the National Congress. Its performance in the 2021 Chilean general election was less dominant; while it advanced its candidate, José Antonio Kast, to the presidential runoff, he was defeated by Gabriel Boric of the Apruebo Dignidad coalition. In the concurrent 2021 Chilean parliamentary election, it remained a major force but lost its plurality in the Chamber of Deputies.

Leadership

The coalition's most prominent national figure was Sebastián Piñera, who served as the President of Chile from 2018 to 2022 under its banner. Other significant leaders included Evelyn Matthei, the president of Renovación Nacional and the coalition's last official coordinator. Key figures from the Unión Demócrata Independiente included senators like Jacqueline van Rysselberghe and Juan Antonio Coloma. From Evópoli, Luciano Cruz-Coke was a notable legislative voice. The coalition's leadership was often characterized by negotiations between the heads of its constituent parties, particularly between RN and UDI, to decide on common candidates and policy directions for major national events like the 2020 Chilean national plebiscite.

Category:Political parties in Chile Category:Conservative parties in Chile Category:Defunct political party alliances in Chile