Adolfo Zaldívar facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Adolfo Zaldívar
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| Chilean Ambassador to Argentina | |
| In office April 16, 2010 – February 27, 2013 |
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| Preceded by | Miguel Otero |
| Succeeded by | Milenko Skoknic |
| Senator of Chile For Aisen Region |
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| In office March 11, 1994 – March 11, 2010 |
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| Preceded by | Hernán Vodanovic |
| Succeeded by | Patricio Walker |
| President of the Senate of Chile | |
| In office March 12, 2008 – March 13, 2009 |
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| Preceded by | Eduardo Frei Ruiz-Tagle |
| Succeeded by | Jovino Novoa |
| Personal details | |
| Born | September 13, 1943 Santiago, Chile |
| Died | February 27, 2013 (aged 69) |
| Resting place | Parque del Recuerdo |
| Political party | Partido Regionalista de los Independientes (2009-2010) Christian Democrat Party of Chile (1957–2007) |
| Spouse | María Alicia Larraín |
| Occupation | Lawyer |
Adolfo Zaldívar (born September 13, 1943 – died February 27, 2013) was an important Chilean politician and lawyer. He served as a Senator for the Aisén Region. He was also the leader of the Chilean Senate from March 2008 until he passed away in February 2013.
Adolfo Zaldívar was a long-time member of the Christian Democratic Party. However, he was asked to leave the party in December 2007. He was married to María Alicia Larraín Shaux and they had six children. His brother, Andrés Zaldívar, was also a well-known politician who led the Senate and served as Interior Minister.
Contents
Life and Career of Adolfo Zaldívar
Adolfo Zaldívar's Early Life and Education
Adolfo Zaldívar went to high school at the Instituto de Humanidades Luis Campino. After that, he studied law at the Catholic University in Chile. He finished his law degree in 1967. Before and after finishing his studies, he worked as a lawyer at a firm called "Irureta, Zaldivar, Briones y Hernández".
Adolfo Zaldívar's Political Journey
Adolfo Zaldívar started his political career in 1965. He became the leader of the Christian Democrat Party (PDC) for university students. From 1970 to 1972, he was the national advisor for the youth section of this party. The next year, he became the national leader for lawyers within the PDC, a role he held until 1980. He also helped start the Chilean Commission of Human Rights.
From 1985 to 1988, Zaldívar was the president of a group that worked on political cooperation between Chile and Argentina. He was also part of the PDC's financial committee from 1983 to 1989. Then, from 1983 to 1990, he served as a national advisor for the PDC. Later, he became the party's first national vice-president.
In the elections held in December 1993, Adolfo Zaldívar was elected as a Senator. In the Senate, he joined the mining committee. He also became part of the national defense committee and the committee for maritime interests, fishing, and aquaculture. From 2002 to 2006, he was the president of the Christian Democratic Party.
Why Adolfo Zaldívar Left His Party
In early 2006, Adolfo Zaldívar lost the election for party president to Soledad Alvear. After this, he often spoke out against Chile's economic system. He felt that the government was not willing to make needed changes. He often disagreed with Alvear. In August 2007, the Christian Democrat Party's main court warned him about his criticisms.
He was also a strong critic of the Transantiago public transport system. This system was created by the Concertación group, which included the Christian Democrats. In November 2007, Zaldívar voted against giving more money to Transantiago. He did this along with senators from another group called the Alliance for Chile and some independent senators. This went against what his party leaders wanted.
Alvear and her supporters accused Zaldívar of "siding with the right-wing parties." They asked for him to be removed from the party. In December, the party leaders officially asked the party's main court to expel him. Their reasons were that he ignored the party's wishes on the Transantiago funding bill and that he strongly criticized the leaders about corruption. The court decided to expel Zaldívar on December 27, 2007. On March 12, 2008, he became the President of the Senate with votes from the right-wing Alliance for Chile.
See also
In Spanish: Adolfo Zaldívar para niños
