Las tortuosas horas en que Paulina Vodanovic zanjó bajar su candidatura - La Tercera

Paulina Vodanovic's Withdrawal

Paulina Vodanovic, the presidential candidate of the Socialist Party of Chile (PS), withdrew her candidacy just 15 days after being nominated. This decision followed weeks of internal tension and low polling numbers.

Reasons for Withdrawal

Several factors contributed to Vodanovic's decision:

• Low Polling Numbers: Vodanovic consistently polled around 1%, failing to gain significant traction.
• Internal Party Division: Influential members within the PS, including José Miguel Insulza and Isabel Allende, supported Carolina Tohá, creating division within the party.
• Lack of Support: The Radical Party also chose Tohá as their candidate, further diminishing Vodanovic's prospects.
• Party Debt: The PS's considerable debt raised internal concerns about the feasibility of Vodanovic's campaign.
• Critique of Campaign: Critics within the PS felt Vodanovic's campaign lacked clear policy proposals and focused too much on criticizing the government.

Aftermath

Vodanovic's withdrawal is expected to consolidate support behind Carolina Tohá. While she did not explicitly endorse Tohá in her withdrawal statement, party officials anticipate an endorsement in the coming days. Tohá herself acknowledged Vodanovic's decision and called it an act of generosity and commitment to the country's future.

Future Outlook

The PS is expected to address the party's financial situation and further define its support for Tohá's campaign. Although Vodanovic's withdrawal creates a stronger position for Tohá within the Socialismo Democrático, the upcoming primaries remain competitive.