1970 in Chile was a pivotal year in the nation's history, marked primarily by the presidential election that brought socialist candidate Salvador Allende to power, profoundly altering the country's political trajectory.
Presidential Election
The main event of 1970 was the general election held on September 4. Three major candidates vied for the presidency:
- Salvador Allende Gossens representing the Unidad Popular (Popular Unity), a coalition of left-wing parties, including the Socialist and Communist parties. His platform focused on a "Chilean path to socialism" through democratic means, including nationalization of key industries and agrarian reform.
- Jorge Alessandri Rodríguez, a former president (1958-1964) and conservative independent, supported by the National Party. He advocated for free-market policies and a return to traditional values.
- Radomiro Tomic Romero of the Christian Democratic Party (PDC), which had governed Chile since 1964 under Eduardo Frei Montalva. Tomic represented a more left-leaning faction within the PDC, proposing a "communitarian" path distinct from both capitalism and traditional socialism.
The election results were:
- Salvador Allende: 36.6%
- Jorge Alessandri: 35.3%
- Radomiro Tomic: 28.1%
Since no candidate secured an absolute majority of the popular vote, the Chilean Constitution mandated that the National Congress decide between the two candidates with the highest number of votes.
Constitutional Crisis and Congressional Vote
Following the election, Chile entered a period of intense political uncertainty and international scrutiny. The prospect of a Marxist president in Latin America, particularly during the Cold War, triggered significant concern in the United States, which actively sought to prevent Allende's confirmation through various covert operations (later known as "Track I" and "Track II").
To secure congressional support, Allende and the Popular Unity coalition engaged in negotiations with the Christian Democratic Party, the swing vote in Congress. These negotiations led to the signing of the "Statute of Constitutional Guarantees" (Estatuto de Garantías Constitucionales). This document committed Allende's government to uphold democratic institutions, civil liberties, and the pluralism of the press, among other principles, as a condition for the PDC's support.
On October 24, 1970, the National Congress voted, and Salvador Allende was confirmed as president with 153 votes to 35 for Alessandri, with the crucial support of the Christian Democrats.
Assassination of General René Schneider
During the period between the popular election and the congressional vote, a significant event occurred: the attempted kidnapping and subsequent assassination of General René Schneider, the Commander-in-Chief of the Chilean Army, on October 22, 1970. Schneider was a staunch defender of the constitutional role of the military and opposed any intervention in the political process ("Schneider Doctrine"). His murder, orchestrated by right-wing elements with alleged covert U.S. support, aimed to create chaos and provoke a military coup to prevent Allende's inauguration. However, it ultimately had the opposite effect, solidifying support for constitutional rule and leading to a wave of national mourning.
Inauguration of Salvador Allende
On November 3, 1970, Salvador Allende was officially inaugurated as the President of Chile, marking the first time a Marxist leader came to power through democratic elections in Latin America. His presidency initiated a period of radical social, economic, and political reforms that would redefine Chile's path and lead to profound internal and external pressures.