Presidential candidate Michelle Bachelet has won the first round of voting in Chile's election. The left wing candidate took almost 47-percent of the vote. Her main adversary, a former minister in the center-right government of Sebastian Pinera, Evelyn Matthei got 25-percent of the vote. Although she took the lead in round one, Bachelet knew she did not get the out-right majority she needed in order to avoid a run-off. A second round of votes will take place on Dec.15.
Taking to Twitter to comment about her victory Bachelet wrote, "Reaching the second [round] is undoubtedly a great triumph. When this project began, many doubted we would be here. But here we are." There are nine candidates running for office in Chile and Bachelet is looking to return to the office she once served between 2006 and 2010 as Chile's first female president. Candidate Matthei has said during her campaigns that she is looking to continue the business friendly politics of the current president.
Bachelet is looking to move away from the policies of the current regime and has proposed tax and education reforms. France24.com has taken the position that Bachelet's victory and second presidential term is all but assured. Most of Bachelet's supporters are anti-establishment and they took about 28-percent of the vote. A trained and practicing pediatrician Bachelet has promised to make 50 reforms during her first 100 days in office. Bachelet is looking to increase corporate taxes from 20 to 25-percent and move toward free higher education for all.
Pensioner Fernando Forttes spoke with Reuters as he left the polling booth on Sunday. "I voted for Bachelet. I hope the model will change...with more social justice and through that more opportunities. Her program is a European social democrat program. It's nothing from another world. Here there will be no revolution." As Bachelet and Matthei go head to head Chileans cannot help but be reminded of the 17-years of dictatorship that came after President Allende was overthrown by General Pinochet in 1973.
Bachelet and her father were tortured during Pinochet's regime while Matthei's father was a general under the dictator. Despite Chile's economy being considered a "success story" in Latin America the Chilean people see the government as slow to respond to the demands for change and out of touch with what the people want. Often violent student protests will break out in demonstration of the Chilean's frustration. If she wins in December, Bachelet will return to the seat of power in March of 2014.
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