"Villa Alemana, Chile Cumbia music blasts from the speakers of a makeshift stage at a small, unassuming park in Villa Alemana, part of Chile's central region. Hundreds of locals crowd onto the paved park grounds. Pockets of friends dance together, and children race around their parents' legs. They have come to hear one of the frontrunners in Chile's presidential race: Jeannette Jara. A former labour minister, Jara is the nominee representing the leftist coalition in Sunday's election."
"But it is her membership in the Communist Party that makes her presidential bid historic. Not since Chile's return to democracy in 1990 has a Communist candidate enjoyed such broad, mainstream support. For some, Jara's success is a barometer for the economic malaise fuelling this year's election cycle. For others, her candidacy is a symptom of the growing polarisation within Chilean politics. Jara has campaigned on the former, playing up her working-class roots. She has pledged to support Chile's public healthcare system, build affordable housing and raise wages."
Jeannette Jara is the leftist coalition's presidential nominee and a Communist Party member enjoying broad mainstream support not seen since 1990. She draws large, working-class crowds in places like Villa Alemana and emphasizes personal connection with ordinary voters. Campaign promises focus on strengthening public healthcare, building affordable housing and raising wages. Supporters frame her rise as a response to economic malaise while opponents view it as evidence of growing political polarisation. Conservative forces present a significant obstacle to her bid despite historic momentum, and her informal campaign style underscores a grassroots appeal.
Read at www.aljazeera.com
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