Congressman Álvaro Ortiz emerged as the winner of the Christian Democratic Party (DC) internal elections held this Sunday. With 63% of the ballots counted, 'List 2,' led by the congressman, garnered 64.41% of the vote, comfortably outperforming its competitors.
The day was marked by low participation. Out of approximately 24,000 eligible party members, only 5,876 cast their votes, representing a turnout of just 24.5%. The party’s acting president, Óscar Ramírez, noted that these results are preliminary and that the Supreme Tribunal must certify the election before the winners can be officially confirmed.
Challenges for the New Leadership
The team led by Ortiz will face the immediate task of managing an internal financial crisis that has fueled distrust within the party, stemming from delays in salary and contribution payments. Beyond this, the leadership must define the party’s stance toward the current government and navigate political alliances—a contentious issue following recent criticism from former President Eduardo Frei Ruiz-Tagle.
Alejandra Krauss, the current national secretary and a member of the winning ticket, thanked the members for participating after a period of intense debate. "The Christian Democratic Party is telling the country that it is absolutely committed to its dreams and aspirations. Our history has inspired us, but above all, it calls us toward the future," Krauss stated following the preliminary count.
Álvaro Ortiz, a journalist with a master’s degree in Politics and Government, served three terms as mayor of Concepción and currently represents District 20 in the Chamber of Deputies. Although various factions have labeled him the candidate of "continuity," the congressman rejects that characterization. Ortiz identifies with the wing of the party linked to the legacy of Patricio Aylwin, blending a conservative stance with a vision adapted to modern times.
The new leadership board will also include Myriam Selva Verdugo Godoy, Javier Antonio Muñoz Riquelme, Paulina Belén Mendoza Pereira, Víctor Marcelo Torres Jeldes, Luis David Ruz Olivares, and Alejandra Krauss, who will continue as national secretary.
