Gabriel Boric won Chile’s presidential election Sunday, becoming the country’s youngest leader at the age of 35 after his rival conceded defeat, according to Anadolu Agency.

Boric garnered 56% of the vote compared to 44% for his opponent, right-wing populist Jose Antonio Kast.

Boric, a progressive lawmaker, played an important role in the 2011 student protests against structural inequality in Chile. He has promised to address the country´s inequality by reforming Chile’s pension and health care systems and reducing the work week from 45 to 40 hours.

The member of the left-wing “I approve Dignity” coalition finished second in the first round with 26% of the vote, although he has won almost every poll since then.

While Boric competed for a Chile where social rights and freedoms are protected, Kast promised “order and progress” to the Chilean people.

More than 8.3 million Chileans participated in the elections, or close to 55% of those eligible to vote, the highest number since voting became voluntary in the South American country in 2012.

Source: Azerbaijan State News Agency