Chileans so far are without new President
December 12, 2005
But even here it is not even flawless – division according to sexual character. It is true that in Chile women vote separately from men! This is, in a way an atavism, when Chilean women were deprived of the right to vote. They obtained it at the end of forties. However not a single government could find time for the last half a century to modernise the procedure of recording the voters.
Probably Chilean men felt that having obtained the right to vote, women will start to press them at political arena. Complete constellation of women names shone brightly in the social life of Chile! During the last decade this is, without a doubt, Clara Szczaranski, who, for many years, had been heading the Security Council of the country, then comes Soledad Alvear, a prominent politician, ex-minister and ex-candidate to Presidency, another on is a recently deceased Gladys Marin, courageous Communist party leader, this is Patricia Verdugo – a talented and brave journalist. And a number of others not only in politics but in culture and arts as well.
The presidential candidate from the left- centrist ruling coalition Michele Bachelet – is from that glorious list. During the first round she lacked just 4.2% to become the first woman-President of Chile. (To win in the first round it was necessary to get at least 50% of votes).
Bachelet left far behind her main rivals - Sebastián Piñera, who got 25.4% of votes and Joaquin Lavin who got 23.2%. According to the majority of analysts the fight for the Presidential chair in the second round would be between M. Bachelet and S. Piñera.
The personality of a 54-year old Michele Bachelet arouses sympathy and trust among Chileans. They know very well the story of her family. The candidate to the post of the head of the state is the daughter of the Air Force general, who died because of tortures during the Pinochet regime. Michele herself was arrested and tortured, but she does not like to speak about that. In the coalition democratic government Bachelet occupied the post of Minister of Health and Defence Minister.
The second round of voting, as it is expected, shall be appointed for January 15. J. Lavin, who represents the ultra right party, has already recognised his defeat and called his voters to cast their votes for right-centrist S. Piñera. Slightly more than 5% of voters voted for Tomas Hirsch, who is supported by the Communist party and the humanitarian movement. Probably that segment of voters shall become the “balance weight” that shall determine the winner.
However, Michele Bachelet is confident in her strength and thinks that she will obtain the victory in the second round.