The 85-year-old socialist Ricardo Lagos, who ruled Chile between 2000 and 2006, announced this Tuesday the decision he made a few months ago together with his family and his political environment: his withdrawal from public life and the closure of his municipal office in Providencia, in the Chilean capital, where the Foundation for Democracy and Development has been working for years. He reported this through a video published on his social network account that Chile and the world have in front of them,” said Lagos, the first socialist to arrive in La Moneda after the overthrow of Salvador Allende on September 11, 1973.
I share with you this declaration of my withdrawal from public life. At 85 years old, a period of change begins in the way I contribute from a more intimate space, always attentive to the challenges facing Chile and the world https://t.co/4pom2KKUU1
— Ricardo Lagos E. (@RicardoLagos) January 30, 2024
He was one of the leaders of the opposition to Augusto Pinochet's dictatorship. In the late 20th and early 21st centuries he pushed the boundaries of what the Chilean left thought possible, although this – Lagos is known for his use of the word “the” – is often forgotten. He created a government that faced numerous challenges from various quarters. With an economic crisis whose effects marked his first years in government, with a political and economic right that was suspicious of the left's seizure of power, with Augusto Pinochet still alive, with an army that did not shake off the legacy of dictatorship and with a Chile with great Inequalities. He came to power with the slogan “Growth in Equality” and managed to combine economic growth with greater social justice and large-scale cultural gestures.
Despite the problems that characterized his administration – the cases of corruption, the internal tensions of the Concertación, the first symptoms of social unrest – he did what no one has been able to do since his administration: pass the presidential sash to someone with the same political affiliation. , Michelle Bachelet. And despite leaving government 18 years ago, Lagos remains a leading player in Chilean politics. He showed this in his last interview with EL PAÍS at the beginning of November last year, when he announced in this newspaper that he would vote against a proposal for a new constitution in the December referendum. His diagnosis is that in Chile “we are not creating a great consensus in politics so that the country can have the leadership again that it has had in the last decades.”
Lagos said that he “celebrates his 86th birthday in March” and “has learned to appreciate the wisdom and perspective those years have given him” “despite some of his physical abilities that have diminished.” This is one of the reasons why he made this decision: although until recently he continued to travel around the world to meetings of former presidents grouped in the elders – he was only able to travel to Asia with a short stop in Europe – he traveled In August, he suffered a fall on his property in Caleu that made him reconsider his ability to continue at the same pace. “It is time to give up my participation in public. It is a change in my life, it is a new chapter that begins, it is a time of change in my way of serving and building a better Chile that we all build together,” proclaimed Lagos, whose government was once again appreciated Chile has softened after years of harsh criticism, particularly from the new generation of leftists now in power. Nevertheless, without being asked, Lagos pledged its support to Gabriel Boric in the 2021 presidential election.
“Today’s world is experiencing an epochal shift of enormous change. The digital revolution has not yet been fully expressed and the associated social, economic and political changes are evolving rapidly. Since we are in a complex time, it is necessary to make many efforts to change course and return to a more favorable path for humanity. “I hope that our national story, both regionally and globally, is a shared story in which we can channel differences peacefully and strive for a fair, supportive, free and democratic future,” Lagos said in the video, which he took advantage of his wife Luisa Durán and his family, his fellow travelers, the academy, social organizations, trade unions, international organizations, the government and the private world. And to the people: “I would like to take this moment to thank you. Thank you to the Chileans who joined the permanent project and thought about making Chile great,” Lagos said.
The former president announced this new path, although in his style he assured: “I will not be silent if I think I can contribute.” “I will continue with you, I will continue to take care of myself, learn and write. The beliefs and hopes for a better Chile always remain. With a heart full of gratitude and hope, I firmly and courageously invite you to realize our shared dreams. The best is yet to come and only together can we achieve it,” said Lagos before signing off with a “thank you.”
The political world of the ruling party and the opposition has reacted to the former president's announcement. Among the messages published on social networks was that of one of his sons, Senator Ricardo Lagos Weber.
Lagos, many years have been worked to build a better society, less unequal, more democratic and always looking for the best for our country and our society… A kiss and my eternal admiration @RicardoLagos https://t.co/fxreVDdEqd
— Ricardo Lagos Weber (@lagosweber) January 30, 2024
President Lagos's numbers continue to increase with time.
From that @PPD_Chile, your party, we wish you all the best for this new phase with your family. We know he is always available to offer his wise advice and vision for 21st century Chile. https://t.co/yKidgMxywT— Jaime Quintana (@senadorquintana) January 30, 2024
I had the privilege of working with you as Chancellor. It was a great experience, I learned from his knowledge of the world, the courage to make difficult decisions, his quality as a statesman at national and international levels. What pride for Chile. Thank you, President!
— Soledad Alvear (@soledadalvear) January 30, 2024
I recognize former President Lagos as a statesman who has been willing to help and contribute to the country to date. Without a doubt, it shaped history and was an important part of Chile's progress. Many will be grateful to you for your work. A big hug for @RicardoLagos pic.twitter.com/316H1KtYCE
— Evelyn Matthei (@evelynmatthei) January 30, 2024
You should be proud of that – and rightly so #30 years. Furthermore, in Chile, largely thanks to you, it has never been accepted that human rights should be put into perspective. I hope presidents return with a vision of government across the spectrum.
— Alfredo Sepúlveda (@asepulveda) January 30, 2024
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