Chile's Dictator-Toppling Coalition Splits as Elections Loom

[Judi Lynn]

by Javiera Quiroga and Philip Sanders
June 5, 2017, 8:37 AM CDT

- Ruling coalition set to field two rival candidates in election
- Coalition has ruled Chile for 24 of 27 post-Pinochet years


The coalition that brought back Chilean democracy and a quarter-century of political stability and economic prosperity is breaking apart.

The seven-party Nueva Mayoria coalition can’t agree on a candidate for November’s presidential election, with the two bickering factions each planning to field their own contenders. Worse still for the center-left bloc, it may go into the congressional vote with two separate lists of lawmakers, ending any chance of a parliamentary majority.

The infighting leaves the door open to billionaire and former President Sebastian Pinera to win back the presidential palace. As Pinera pledges to overturn Bachelet’s flagship reforms in education, labor relations and taxes, the president is fighting back, using her last state-of-the-nation address to call for unity within the coalition to defend her legacy.

“Nothing of what we have achieved is assured forever,” Bachelet said June 1. “I want to ask, especially to the progressive democrats of Chile, who have accompanied me in this government, unity in action and loyalty to the principles that brought us together.”

More:
https://www.bloomberg.com/politics/articles/2017-06-05/chile-s-dictator-toppling-coalition-splits-as-elections-loom

[sandensea]

1. The Concertacion alliance did so much for Chile. Here's hoping they reunite, and voters remember.

It seems hard to believe now; but today's nearly-developed Chile is a VERY far cry from the backward, despot-controlled country with 47% poverty the Concertación alliance inherited in 1990.

Even Piñera, an open admirer of Pinochet who personified the crony corruption prevailing in the Pinochet era, knew to keep most of their market-socialist policies in place - and that, if nothing else, is a reassuring thought should voters return him to La Moneda.

[Judi Lynn]

2. I tried to sleep through Pinera's term, didn't realize he stood at a distance from "reforming"

the policies which worked better.

Thanks for the insight. It helps greatly to remember that, looking at the big possibility of a Pinochet supporter back in office!

Looking forward so much to the days all the old Nazi-allies in the Americas are finally gone, and their little kitty cats, like Piñera, too.

Thanks, sandensea.