SANTIAGO: Sebastián Solorza has made a name for himself as an acclaimed actor, having starred in a popular Netflix series and garnered national acting awards.

Now, the 43-year-old is aiming higher by throwing his hat into the ring for president of Chile in this year's national election.

Solorza, who has Down syndrome, faces the challenge of collecting the required 35,000 signatures by August 18 to run as an independent candidate.

He positions himself as a 'point of balance' between the far-right and far-left ideologies that define Chile's political scene.

According to Solorza, his condition allows him to approach communication with greater empathy and understanding.

Should he successfully enter the electoral race, his platform will focus on inclusion, healthcare, education, and security — key issues for Chilean citizens who are grappling with an ongoing crisis of violence.

As the election draws near, polls show that Solorza's bid, while longshot, may still have an impact by offering a middle ground between political extremes and raising awareness about people with disabilities.