Abstract

CASTRO SILVA, Gustavo Javier  and  DOMINGUEZ AVILA, Carlos Federico. The municipal elections and the political recomposition in Chile: challenges and perspectives (2008-2010). Latinoamérica [online]. 2009, n.49, pp.181-206. ISSN 2448-6914.

This article is an evaluation of the origins, results and the political implications of the Chilean election of October 26, 2008. It is the authors' opinion that this election allowed fora rearrangement of the Chilean political-electoral scenario. The end result of these elections was the first significant victory of the center-right political factions and marks the first significant national defeat of the Concertación, which has been in power since 1990. Although the authors acknowledge that this election had more impact the local (municipal) level, its consequences at the national level become much more significant because of the proximity of the forthcoming presidential election of 2009.

Keywords : Chile; Local elections; Political sociology; Democratic transitions; Electoral system; Political coalitions.