Jorge Heine, former Chilean government cabinet minister: “Jara’s victory in the June primary is among the most significant political upsets in the country’s recent political history. When Carolina Toha stepped down as minister of home affairs in March to run for the left’s nomination, she was considered the favorite to clinch it, given her extended career in public office and proven managerial and communications skills. Yet, having been minister of home affairs, at a time when law and order is a critical issue, turned out to be too heavy a burden. Jara, in turn, who served as minister of labor, chalked up one of the few governmental victories on the legislative front, with the passing of a pension reform law, as well as increases in the minimum wage, leveraged her modest origins and common touch into winning assets. That said, Jara’s victory has weakened the chances of the left winning in November. While the right remains fragmented, Chile’s ballotage system allows voters to regroup after the first round, thus limiting…”