Fact Check: "Jara's candidacy marks the first for the Communist Party since Chile's return to democracy!"
What We Know
Jeannette Jara, a candidate from the Communist Party, recently won a primary election in Chile, marking a significant moment for the left in the country. This event is notable as it represents the first time a member of the Communist Party has been nominated by a broad political coalition since Chile's return to democracy in 1990. According to a report, Jara secured over 60% of the vote in the primary, defeating her more moderate opponent, Carolina Tohá, who received 27.7% of the votes (source-2). This primary is part of a broader electoral strategy for the left, which has been struggling to maintain its influence amid rising right-wing sentiments in Chile (source-1).
Analysis
The claim that Jara's candidacy is the first for the Communist Party since Chile's return to democracy is partially true. While it is accurate that Jara's nomination is unprecedented in the context of a broad political coalition, it is essential to clarify that the Communist Party has participated in elections since the return to democracy in 1990. However, this is the first instance where a major coalition, specifically the "Unidos por Chile" coalition, has selected a Communist candidate as its representative for the presidency (source-2).
The significance of Jara's candidacy lies in the changing dynamics of Chilean politics, where the left is attempting to redefine itself amidst a challenging political landscape characterized by a rightward shift in public opinion (source-1). The Communist Party's historical context in Chilean politics adds complexity to the claim, as it has not been entirely absent from the political scene since the transition to democracy.
Conclusion
The verdict on the claim is Partially True. While it is correct that Jeannette Jara's candidacy represents a significant milestone for the Communist Party in the context of a major political coalition, it is misleading to suggest that this is the first candidacy for the Communist Party since 1990, as they have been active in various capacities throughout the democratic era. The nuance in the claim highlights the evolving nature of political alliances and voter sentiment in Chile.
Sources
- Chile's Left at a Crossroads: What Sunday’s Primary Reveals About the Country’s Democratic Drift
- Chilean communist scores surprise win in primary vote as battle with far-right looms
- Google – Wikipedia
- Víctor Jara
- Google (hakukone) – Wikipedia
- Chile's left nominates Communist Party's Jara to be ...
- Google Chrome ‑selain