Analysis-Chile's battered leftist leader Boric grapples with thorny tax reform

FILE PHOTO: Chile’s President Gabriel Boric delivers a speech during the first session to draft a new constitution, in Santiago, Chile, June 7, 2023. REUTERS/Ivan Alvarado/File Photo

SANTIAGO (Reuters) - Chilean President Gabriel Boric is struggling to replicate the success of other Latin American leftist leaders in reforming tax codes after vowing as a candidate in 2021 to undertake a restructuring of his country's free-market system.

Propelled into office by a popular revolt over the shortcomings of Chile's longtime orthodox economic consensus, Boric was part of a pink tide of South American leaders elected on platforms that promised higher social spending and other policies to reduce inequality.