Bachelet softens reform promises before Chile vote
Bachelet softens reform promises before Chile vote
By LUIS ANDRES HENAO, Associated Press | November 14, 2013 | Updated: November 14, 2013 11:54am
SANTIAGO, Chile (AP) — Michelle Bachelet is expected to overwhelmingly win Sunday's presidential election and possibly avoid a runoff, riding a wave of hope that brought millions of Chileans to the streets demanding social change.
The 62-year-old former political prisoner has taken up the cause of protesters demanding education reform, greater environmental protection and a reduction of Chile's sharp income inequality. She has promised to raise corporate taxes to help fund an education overhaul, strengthen labor unions and improve health care and public services.
Thursday was the last day of campaigning for elections that will also choose 120 members of the lower House of Congress and 20 out of 38 Senate seats. But getting elected to a second four-year term as Chile's first and only female president is likely to be the easy part for Bachelet.
Much harder, analysts say, will be pushing her agenda through Congress, where a hostile right-wing block is likely to stifle major legislative changes.
More:
http://www.chron.com/news/world/article/Bachelet-softens-reform-promises-before-Chile-vote-4982840.php
