Chile Interior Minister Carolina Tohá stepped down from her post and said she will run for president in this year’s election, marking the entry of an experienced centre-left politician in the contest for head of state.
Tohá presented her resignation to President Gabriel Boric on Tuesday. In separate remarks made late at night after the cabinet change ceremony, she told reporters it’s time for her generation to seek the nation’s top job.
“The time has come for me to undertake another political battle, which is to compete for the presidency,” Tohá said. “I have participated in many triumphs — in resounding triumphs — but also in defeats. I have been part of hope and of advances.”
Chile’s centre-left parties have dragged their feet over naming candidates for this year’s presidential vote, leaving opposition contenders to dominate early polls. Local laws prevent Boric, whose administration has been dogged by low popularity, from seeking a second consecutive term. Amid the political vacuum, there’s also speculation that former head of state Michelle Bachelet could attempt a third period in the nation’s top job.
On Tuesday night, Boric wished Tohá good luck in the challenge of giving the government’s political alliance “continuity,” and he called for “competitive primary elections” within the left. Tohá was replaced by Secretary General of the Presidency Álvaro Elizalde.
“This decision has not been easy,” Tohá said on Tuesday afternoon. “It is appropriate at this time to thank the president for the trust he gave me to fulfill this position.”
The delay in announcing her candidacy could cost Tohá heavily. A Pulso Ciudadano survey published on Sunday showed only 1.9% of respondents would back her for president. That’s well behind conservative front-runner Evelyn Matthei, with 24.3%, and hard-right contenders José Antonio Kast and Johannes Kaiser, who garnered 10.6% and 9.7%, respectively.
The results also put Tohá far behind Bachelet, with 15.9%. While the former centre-left president has said she won’t run for a third term, her enduring popularity as well as recent silence have revived calls that she reconsider.
Tohá is a political heavyweight who brings experience as a minister, former government spokeswoman, congressional deputy and mayor. After joining Boric’s administration in 2022, she oversaw Chile’s fight against crime. She also led the response to last week’s nationwide blackout.
Still, critics say Tohá’s efforts to tackle crime amid a surge in homicides have fallen short. Roughly 59% of the population disapproves of her performance, while 37% support her, according to a Cadem poll published in February.
Tohá faced especially intense scrutiny for reacting too slowly last year when her former undersecretary, Manuel Monsalve, stepped down and was later charged with rape.
Chile’s first round presidential vote will be on Nov. 16 and a run-off, if needed, would take place on Dec. 14.
by Matthew Malinowski, Bloomberg
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