1932 Chilean general election explained

Country:Chile
Type:presidential
Previous Election:1931 Chilean presidential election
Previous Year:1931
Next Election:1938 Chilean presidential election
Next Year:1938
Election Date:30 October 1932
Image1:Arturo Alessandri P.jpg
Nominee1:Arturo Alessandri
Party1:Liberal Party (Chile, 1849)
Popular Vote1:187,914
Percentage1:55.05%
Colour2:FF0000
Nominee2:Marmaduke Grove
Party2:New Public Action
Popular Vote2:60,856
Percentage2:17.64%
Image4:HectorRodriguezDLS.JPG
Nominee4:Héctor Rodríguez
Party4:Conservative Party (Chile)
Popular Vote4:47,207
Percentage4:13.68%
Image5:EnriqueZañartuPrieto.jpg
Nominee5:Enrique Zañartu Prieto
Party5:United Liberal Party (Chile)
Popular Vote5:42,885
Percentage5:12.43%
President
Posttitle:President
Before Election:Abraham Oyanedel
Before Party:Independent politician
After Election:Arturo Alessandri
After Party:Liberal Party (Chile, 1849)

General elections were held in Chile on 30 October 1932.[1] Arturo Alessandri of the Liberal Party was elected president, whilst the Conservative Party and Radical Party emerged as the largest parties in the Chamber of Deputies.

Background

The election took place roughly a year after the previous election, but political and economic instability caused by the Great Depression which hit a low in mid-1932, only made the situation worse. President Montero had to resign shortly after a mutiny led by Marmaduque Grove, who headed the Socialist Republic of Chile until being overthrown by former ally Carlos Dávila who would also be overthrown, this time by Bartolome Blanche. After his downfall, Abraham Oyanedel became head of state. The return of Alessandri became so highly awaited that he won the election in a landslide ending a turbulent and bitter year for the country, being considered today as the worst one in Chilean history.

Electoral system

The presidential election was held using the absolute majority system, under which a candidate had to receive over 50% of the popular vote to be elected. If no candidate received over 50% of the vote, both houses of the National Congress would come together to vote on the two candidates that received the most votes.[2]

Results

Chamber of Deputies

Aftermath

Following the elections, three of the independent candidates elected to the Chamber of Deputies joined the Communist Party.[3]

Notes and References

  1. [Dieter Nohlen]
  2. Nohlen, p259
  3. Nohlen, p280