Michelle Bachelet and Evelyn Matthei left open the possibility of competing for La Moneda in 2029, according to BioBioChile. For analyst Darío Quiroga, their reappearance shows the "extreme weakness of the government" of José Antonio Kast.
The debate comes just seven months into Kast's term. The outlet reports that neither has formally declared a candidacy.
Bachelet governed Chile for two terms. Her reappearance follows her unsuccessful bid to become Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN). Asked about a third presidential candidacy, she replied, "I think so".
Matthei, a former presidential candidate, also opened the door, although she said there was still time to go. She spoke on Expreso Bío Bío after sharply criticizing how the executive branch makes its decisions. She also said that she would not accept a ministerial post under the current conditions.
Those criticisms carry more weight because of their source. Matthei belongs to one of the parties backing the government, but she distanced herself from the Republican leadership. According to BioBioChile, her remarks have caused tensions within the governing coalition.
Quiroga argued that both leaders' emergence as potential presidential candidates reflects an administration challenged by the opposition and its own political camp. Bachelet, meanwhile, reappeared as the opposition tries to organize.
Analyst Luis Felipe Vergara focused on the executive branch's communications. He spoke of "a communications approach that has lacked assertiveness", which encourages others to begin positioning themselves for a presidential race. However, he clarified that he would not go so far as to say a campaign was already underway.
La Moneda played down the issue. Undersecretary of the Interior Máximo Pavez said the government's focus was on governing and fulfilling its commitments. Kast has more than three years left in his term.
