[Politics] Campaign strategist and influential figure within the FA: The profile of Carlos Durán, Boric's new chief of staff

[Wassim]

This Monday, President Gabriel Boric appointed Carlos Durán as his new chief of staff, replacing Matías Meza Lopehandía, who resigned due to the crisis caused by the errors committed in the pardons granted by the President to 12 prisoners of the social outbreak and to the former frontista Jorge Mateluna. Until today, the sociologist and historian was the head of the Department of Studies on the Second Floor of La Moneda, a position he took up after becoming one of the main strategists of the campaign that ended with the then deputy for Magallanes as head of state.

In fact, Durán, a 47-year-old member of Convergencia Social (CS), is credited with the idea of "lowering Boric from the tree", alluding to the icon that marked his electoral strip, with a view to moderating the standard-bearer's speech and better capture the center-left vote, as it ended up happening. It was during this period that the two forged a close bond, despite the fact that for years they had been meeting at the meetings that gave rise to the Broad Front. The two were part of the Autonomist Movement, a collective that gave rise to CS and in which the professional was in charge of political relations. At that time, he achieved links with leaders such as the former conventional and today adviser to the Ministry of the Interior, Constanza Schönhaut, and the deputy Gonzalo Winter, who are part of Boric's closest circle. He is also close to the current Chilean ambassador to the OAS, Sebastián Kraljevich. Durán also played a key role during the presidential campaign of Beatriz Sánchez in 2017.

On that occasion, he built bridges between the trade union world and the FA, where his contribution stands out, since he was one of the few leaders from the most po[CENSORED]r sectors, since who grew up in the Huamachuco de Renca po[CENSORED]tion.

Within the Government, the professional has played an important role for Boric. For example, he has collaborated in the drafting of important speeches by the ruler, such as the one he gave in his first public account, the one on the day of the defeat in the exit plebiscite or the one in which he commemorated a new anniversary of 18- EITHER. Although they only became closer in the presidential primaries, the confidence that the President has in him is such that he has also participated in the elaboration of communication strategies and in the political analysis to make decisions, such as in the turn towards the center left that the Executive gave after September 4. On a professional level, Durán is a Doctor in Social Science Research with a mention in Political Science and a Master's in Social Sciences from FLACSO Mexico, a sociologist and a graduate in history. He has also worked as a researcher and teacher at different universities in the country. Among them, in his curriculum there are steps from the Silva Henríquez Catholic University, from Los Lagos, from Chile, Alberto Hurtado, Central and Diego Portales. He has also been the lead researcher and co-investigator of various projects of the National Fund for Scientific and Technological Development (Fondecyt).

https://www.emol.com/noticias/Nacional/2023/01/09/1083381/perfil-duran-jefe-gabinete-boric.html