Pinera leads Chile polls
Source: Agencies |
December 14, 2009, Monday
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Print Edition
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A CONSERVATIVE billionaire was yesterday's front-runner in Chile's presidential election but a run-off was likely needed to break two decades of center-left rule since the end of Augusto Pinochet's administration.
Center-right businessman Sebastian Pinera, who has vowed to build on prudent fiscal policies that have made the world's No. 1 copper producer a regional model of stability, led by a least 10 points in opinion polls before the first presidential vote since Pinochet died in 2006.
But he is expected to fall short of the outright majority needed for election, setting up a January 17 run-off against Eduardo Frei, a former president from the splintered ruling coalition who is running second. Polls show Pinera winning a runoff by at least 6 points.
It would be the first presidential election victory for the Chilean right in half a century, and a rare win in a region dominated by leftist governments. But few see major policy changes, whoever prevails.
"No apologies, much less last-minute ones, can fool or confuse Chileans, who know deep down in their hearts the Concertacion (ruling coalition) has worn out," Pinera told thousands of supporters at his closing rally last Thursday.
Center-right businessman Sebastian Pinera, who has vowed to build on prudent fiscal policies that have made the world's No. 1 copper producer a regional model of stability, led by a least 10 points in opinion polls before the first presidential vote since Pinochet died in 2006.
But he is expected to fall short of the outright majority needed for election, setting up a January 17 run-off against Eduardo Frei, a former president from the splintered ruling coalition who is running second. Polls show Pinera winning a runoff by at least 6 points.
It would be the first presidential election victory for the Chilean right in half a century, and a rare win in a region dominated by leftist governments. But few see major policy changes, whoever prevails.
"No apologies, much less last-minute ones, can fool or confuse Chileans, who know deep down in their hearts the Concertacion (ruling coalition) has worn out," Pinera told thousands of supporters at his closing rally last Thursday.
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