Not-so-great news from Chile

[marmar]

via Truthdig:



Billionaire Expected to Lead Chilean Vote
Posted on Dec 13, 2009


Sebastian Piñera, considered the clear front-runner in Chile’s presidential race, is a billionaire who owns a media outlet, a stake in an airline and even part of the esteemed Colo-Colo soccer club. If he’s elected, he will end nearly 20 years of leftist rule in the South American nation, but he will need more than 50 percent of Sunday’s vote to avoid a runoff. —JCL

The Guardian:

A conservative businessman appeared on course today to win the most votes in Chile’s presidential election, potentially ending nearly two decades of leftist rule which have left the country stable and prosperous.

Sebastian Pinera, a billionaire who owns stakes in an airline and a media firm, said he would rejuvenate the economy but not radically shift Chile to the right. “Better times are coming to Chile,” he said.

Opinion polls gave him a wide lead over his nearest rival, Eduardo Frei, a former president who is running on the ticket of the ruling coalition, Concertación, which has been power since the end of Augusto Pinochet’s dictatorship in 1990.

Read more

http://www.truthdig.com/eartotheground/item/chile_to_the_right_to_the_right_20091213/

[geckosfeet]

1. Hmm. Has the Obama administration made any statements? It will be interesting

to see what policy changes issue forth from the Obama administration if Piñera wins.

Sebastian Piñera, a conservative billionaire, won 44 percent of the vote in Chile's election on Sunday, putting the left at risk of losing the helm for the first time since right-wing dictator Augusto Pinochet stepped down nearly 20 years ago.

Mr. Piñera, who ran on a campaign of change, got 44 percent of votes and will face Eduardo Frei, from the ruling leftist alliance who captured 30 percent of votes, according to nearly complete official results.

It seems that the incumbent left has fractured and is unable to unite behind a leader. I have this eery feeling that I am watching a pre-run of the 2012 US presidential campaign.