One of the most prominent faces of the massive student protests that rocked Chile in 2011 has officially launched her bid for a seat in Congress. Camila Vallejo, who is running on the Communist Party ticket in the Nov. 17 general elections, opened her campaign with an event in Santiago´s La Florida neighborhood, where she grew up.

Global acclaim and recognition for the movement prompted the genesis of a new generation of politicians within the Communist Party, led by a stable of precocious 20-something former student leaders including Vallejo, Karol Cariola and Camilo Ballesteros.

Camila Vallejo, who is running on the Communist Party ticket in the Nov. 17 general elections, opened her campaign with an event in Santiago´s La Florida neighborhood, where she grew up.

Vallejo vaulted to international prominence in 2011, when Chilean students took to the streets in large numbers more than 40 times to denounce a highly stratified education system that funnels state subsidies to private institutions even as public schools in poor areas struggle.

Vallejo vaulted to international prominence in 2011, when Chilean students took to the streets in large numbers more than 40 times to denounce a highly stratified education system that funnels state subsidies to private institutions even as public schools in poor areas struggle.

The Communists are part of the center-left New Majority coalition, which is backing former head of state Michelle Bachelet for president.

After a relatively subdued 2012, the Chilean student movement is hoping to exert influence on this year´s presidential and congressional elections.