National Party (Chile) (1966-1973)

The National Party (Partido Nacional) of Chile was a Chilean political party formed by the the union of the United Conservative Party and the United Liberal Party. It represented the right-wing of the Chilean political spectrum, against the centrist Christian Democratic Party of Chile and the leftist coalition People's Unity. Its candidate Jorge Alessandri lost the 1970 Chilean presidential election, while the Christian Democrats brokered a deal giving Salvador Allende the office by vote in the National Congress of Chile. Three years later in August, 1973, after escalating political polarization and violence, the Christian Democrats joined with Partido Nacional in the same legislature to ask for the military to oust the Allende government and restore law and order. The following month, newly appointed chief of staff General Augusto Pinochet led the Chilean coup of 1973, after which the National Party voluntarily dissolved itself. It attempted to reform in 1983 but was unable to compete with the new right-wing parties, the Independent Democratic Union and National Renewal. After poor electoral showing, it disbanded in 1994. It is not to be confused with the National Party with operated between 1857 and 1933.