Ignacio Walker

Ignacio Walker Prieto (born 7 January 1956) is a Chilean lawyer, politician, and, author who has served as minister and parliamentary in his country.

A former member of the Christian Democratic Party. He served as a Senator for the 5th Senatorial District (Cordillera), representing the Valparaíso Region, between 2010 and 2018. In August 2010, Walker was elected president of the Christian Democratic Party for a two-year term and served in that role until 27 April 2015. Walker was a member of the Christian Democratic Party for more than 30 years, ending his affiliation on 7 November 2022.

He is the brother of former senator Patricio Walker Prieto and current independent senator Matías Walker Prieto. His grandfather, Horacio Walker Larraín, and his great-grandfather, Joaquín Walker Martínez, both served as senators of the Republic of Chile. He is married to María Cecilia Echeñique Celis, with whom he has three children. At Vicaría de la Solidaridad, Walker defended people against human rights violations committed by the regime of General Augusto Pinochet. In 1982, he earned a PhD in political science from Princeton University. The panel included both Pinochet's supporters and opponents who recalled and discussed the historic "NO" campaign, which ultimately led to Pinochet's defeat in the referendum and Chile's successful transition to democracy.

Publications 2020 -- Cristianos sin Cristiandad: (reflexiones de un legislador católico) 2018 -- La Nueva Mayoría. Reflexiones sobre una derrota 2018 -- Democracia Cristiana que queremos: El chile que soñamos 2016 -- Democracy in Latin America: Between Hope and Despair (Kellogg Institute Series on Democracy and Development) 2009 -- La Democracia En América Latina 2006 -- Chile and Latin America in a Globalized World 1990 -- Socialismo Y Democracia: Chile Y Europa En Perspectiva Comparada 1986 -- Democracia En Chile; Doce Conferencias (with José A. Vieragallo, et al.)

Awards 2005—Grand Cross of the Order of the Infante Dom Henrique -- Prince Henry the Navigator (November 22, 2005) 2004—Grand Cross of the Order of the Sun of Peru (December 10, 2004)