What you have to know this Tuesday in La Tercera: Frente Amplio runs out of presidential letter

Everything indicates that in the next few hours Beatriz Sánchez will officially announce that she will not assume a second presidential candidacy. The journalist would choose, instead, to run for the convention that will have the task of drafting the new Constitution.

Although this is a stage that they have already assumed in the Broad Front for some time, the problem that causes them is not minor. And it is that the plan B of the block, a candidacy of the lawyer Fernando Atria, would not stick either.

• Atria, former member of the PS, He has already stated that the only way to compete to get to La Moneda is to be guaranteed the support of the entire Frente Amplio. And yesterday he added that, despite understanding the need for the bloc to anoint a presidential candidate, he is already engaged in fighting for a seat in the constitutional convention.

In the FA they recognize that difficult times are coming and that the “vacuum” they have today in the presidential race could also affect the performance of the coalition in other electoral contests.

We invite you to read a report by journalist Isabel Caro on the dilemma facing the Frente Amplio and the alternatives that are beginning to be mentioned as plan C. Read more about this story.

In the last four weeks, the variation of the moving averages of infections – indices that consider a period of seven days – added an increase of 82% to a total of 2,583 cases.

“This should concern to all the inhabitants of Chile ”, warned the Minister of Health, Enrique Paris, informing that only in the last seven days the increase in cases nationwide reached 32%.

• The crowds in malls that were registered before Christmas would be the main cause of infections, said Paris. And he added that the effects of the social gatherings for the end of the year celebrations will be seen in the coming days.

One of the biggest concerns Of the authorities is the pressure on the health network, since the occupation of critical units by Covid-19 reaches 787 beds, a level similar to that of mid-May. Yesterday, in fact, the Regional Hospital of Antofagasta reported that 100% of its critical beds had been occupied.

Although the increase of cases is a global phenomenon – the United Kingdom had to decree a new confinement yesterday due to its serious epidemiological situation – the health worker of the Usach, Claudio Castillo, pointed out that in Chile some confusing signals are influencing people, such as the reopening of the airport and vacation permits. Read more of this story.

The Central Bank reported yesterday that the Imacec of November rose 0.3% compared to the same month of 2019, its first positive change since March.

Why it matters: It was expected that in October the activity would already write its first figure in blue and that in November it would reach 1%, so the market reacted with caution.

• The rebound was influenced by the 15.3% growth in trade – a sector that continued to be favored with the first withdrawal of 10% – and the low comparison base of November 2019, a month affected by the social outbreak.

In perspective: Economists project a new contraction for December, as a result of a high base of comparison and the regression to phase 2 of the MR.

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• Paula: Mental fitness. We invite you to review a series of activities to train the brain and avoid accelerating its cognitive decline.
• What happens: National water balance. It is projected that the availability of water in the north and center of the country could decrease by up to 50% between 2030 and 2060.
• Practical: How to take care of your feet in summer. In the hot months, the feet demand the same attention that we give to other parts of the body.
• Worship: Bertoni, archaeologist of restlessness. “Poesía reunida” has just appeared, a volume published by the UDP. Here you can review the prologue of the publication.

You can access the digital paper version of La Tercera from here.