Council for a Community of Democracies

Conservative Billionaire Wins Plurality in Chile's Presidential Election
December 14, 2009
By: Matt Levy

Chileans gave a plurality of votes on December 13 to conservative billionaire and former senator Sebastian Piñera. With only 44% of the vote, according to the Los Angeles Times, Piñera must confront Eduardo Frei, a former president who placed second with 30% of votes, in a runoff election to be held in January. Neither candidate was successful in exceeding the required 50% of the vote to avoid such a runoff, in large part due to the strong showing of independent candidate and former congressman Marco Enríquez-Ominami, who garnered 20% of the vote.

Current President Michelle Bachelet, with approval ratings near 80%, cannot seek reelection due to Chile’s constitution. According to the BBC, Mr. Frei was unable to capitalize on her popularity, leading many voters to choose other candidates. Throughout his campaign, Mr. Piñera promised annual economic growth of 6% and increased efforts to be tough on crime.

If Mr. Piñera wins in the runoff election, it would mark the first time in 51 years that a conservative presidential candidate has won via popular vote, as cited in the BBC News. His victory would also end nearly two decades of uninterrupted leadership from the Concertación coalition, a left-of-center partnership.

Sources:
BBC News - Pinera wins first round of Chile presidential election
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8410345.stm

Los Angeles Times - Chile's presidential election: Conservative Sebastian Pinera may win the vote but still face a runoff
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/laplaza/2009/12/chile-presidential-election-augusto-pinochet-sebastian-pinera-eduardo-frei-marco-enriquez-ominami.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+LaPlaza+(La+Plaza)

New York Times - Conservative Wins in First Round of Elections in Chile
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/14/world/americas/14chile.html?hpw