Michelle Bachelet opens the door to a third presidency in Chile

Former president Michelle Bachelet suggested the possibility of seeking a new presidential candidacy in Chile, according to EL PAÍS Chile on its Instagram account. In an interview with the channel of the Universidad de Concepción, when asked whether she thought there is no second without a third in the presidential context, the progressive leader replied: "I think so... I think so."

The announcement reshuffles the board within the ruling coalition and the Chilean center-left. Bachelet, who recently ended her aspirations to the Secretary-General of the United Nations, returns to a leading role in the national public debate. In the Chilean political system, former presidents retain a decisive influence in building parliamentary alliances and in articulating sectors at moments when leadership is being redefined.

The statement adds to recent remarks by the former head of state in which she confirmed that she will not withdraw from public life. According to the outlet being cited, Bachelet had warned days earlier in an online forum that she will continue working for the unity of the forces driving progress in the country.

A possible return by the former president to the race for the head of state directly affects the dynamics of the official coalitions, which are seeking to agree on a unified proposal ahead of the coming elections. The presence of a figure with that level of electoral recognition changes the calculations for any primaries in the sector.

Going forward, the evolution of the Chilean political scene will depend on whether this stance is formalized into a pre-candidacy with the backing of the various factions of the left.