Changes and continuity in the Left in Chile (1990-2017) : between the streets and institutions

This chapter describes the situation, trajectories and prospects of left-wing parties and groups in Chile and focuses on the period beginning with the massive student protests of 2011. It shows how a number of domestic and international factors explain the decline and weakness of the left since the restoration of democracy in 1990 and deals with thedissolution of a long-lasting alliance between the Socialist and the Communist parties. The failure of the insurrectional strategy pursued by the communists consolidated the moderate approach that included negotiations with the regime and pacts with the Christian Democrats. The communists’ approach consisted in creating the conditions for an enlargement of the centre-left coalition. The Broad Front has shown high degrees of articulation with social struggles that have demonstrated its ability to dispute the traditional hegemony that the Communist Party has enjoyed in this area.