Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06SANTIAGO94
2006-01-15 23:39:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Santiago
Cable title:
BACHELET DEFEATS PINERA TO BECOME CHILE'S FIRST
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UNCLAS SANTIAGO 000094
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL SOCI CI
SUBJECT: BACHELET DEFEATS PINERA TO BECOME CHILE'S FIRST
FEMALE PRESIDENT
REF: A. KAMIAN-OPS CENTER 1/15/06 TELCON
B. SANTIAGO 00073
C. 05 SANTIAGO 02486
D. 05 SANTIAGO 02495
UNCLAS SANTIAGO 000094
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL SOCI CI
SUBJECT: BACHELET DEFEATS PINERA TO BECOME CHILE'S FIRST
FEMALE PRESIDENT
REF: A. KAMIAN-OPS CENTER 1/15/06 TELCON
B. SANTIAGO 00073
C. 05 SANTIAGO 02486
D. 05 SANTIAGO 02495
1. Summary: The ruling center-left Concertacion coalition's
candidate Michelle Bachelet defeated center-right Alianza
opposition candidate Sebastian Pinera in the January 15
run-off election to become Chile's first female president.
As of 2000 local time (1800 EST),and with more than 97
percent of the vote counted, Bachelet had 53.51 percent of
the vote, compared to 46.48 percent for Pinera. Pinera has
conceded the election. There are no reports of election
irregularities. Polling stations across the country were
generally well-organized and calm. Bachelet will be
inaugurated on March 11, together with the new Congress. End
summary.
2. Center-left Concertacion candidate Michelle Bachelet
defeated center-right Alianza opposition candidate Sebastian
Pinera during the January 15 presidential run-off election.
(Bachelet and Pinera were the two top vote-getters in the
December 11 first round election. Since no candidate won
more than 50 percent of the vote, the two moved on to a
run-off -- ref c.) Bachelet will succeed Ricardo Lagos, who
could not run again as Chilean presidents are
constitutionally barred from seeking a consecutive second
term. A Concertacion candidate has won all four presidential
elections since the return of democracy in Chile in 1990.
Bachelet will be inaugurated on March 11, together with the
new Congress, which also has a Concertacion majority in both
houses (ref d).
3. As of 2000 local time (1800 EST),and with more than 97
percent of the vote counted, Bachelet held 53.51 percent of
the vote, compared to 46.48 percent for Pinera. Bachelet
leads Pinera in all but two of the regions. Approximately
one hour after the government's initial release of the
results (which was based on two-thirds of the vote counted),
Pinera conceded the election in a short, gracious televised
speech.
4. There have been no significant reports of election-related
irregularities or violence. Voting booths throughout the
country began opening at 0700 local time, with a number of
voters voting early to avoid long lines and higher
temperatures later in the day. Reports from individuals who
visited polling stations in the Santiago Metropolitan area
confirmed that the atmosphere was orderly, calm and routine.
KELLY
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL SOCI CI
SUBJECT: BACHELET DEFEATS PINERA TO BECOME CHILE'S FIRST
FEMALE PRESIDENT
REF: A. KAMIAN-OPS CENTER 1/15/06 TELCON
B. SANTIAGO 00073
C. 05 SANTIAGO 02486
D. 05 SANTIAGO 02495
1. Summary: The ruling center-left Concertacion coalition's
candidate Michelle Bachelet defeated center-right Alianza
opposition candidate Sebastian Pinera in the January 15
run-off election to become Chile's first female president.
As of 2000 local time (1800 EST),and with more than 97
percent of the vote counted, Bachelet had 53.51 percent of
the vote, compared to 46.48 percent for Pinera. Pinera has
conceded the election. There are no reports of election
irregularities. Polling stations across the country were
generally well-organized and calm. Bachelet will be
inaugurated on March 11, together with the new Congress. End
summary.
2. Center-left Concertacion candidate Michelle Bachelet
defeated center-right Alianza opposition candidate Sebastian
Pinera during the January 15 presidential run-off election.
(Bachelet and Pinera were the two top vote-getters in the
December 11 first round election. Since no candidate won
more than 50 percent of the vote, the two moved on to a
run-off -- ref c.) Bachelet will succeed Ricardo Lagos, who
could not run again as Chilean presidents are
constitutionally barred from seeking a consecutive second
term. A Concertacion candidate has won all four presidential
elections since the return of democracy in Chile in 1990.
Bachelet will be inaugurated on March 11, together with the
new Congress, which also has a Concertacion majority in both
houses (ref d).
3. As of 2000 local time (1800 EST),and with more than 97
percent of the vote counted, Bachelet held 53.51 percent of
the vote, compared to 46.48 percent for Pinera. Bachelet
leads Pinera in all but two of the regions. Approximately
one hour after the government's initial release of the
results (which was based on two-thirds of the vote counted),
Pinera conceded the election in a short, gracious televised
speech.
4. There have been no significant reports of election-related
irregularities or violence. Voting booths throughout the
country began opening at 0700 local time, with a number of
voters voting early to avoid long lines and higher
temperatures later in the day. Reports from individuals who
visited polling stations in the Santiago Metropolitan area
confirmed that the atmosphere was orderly, calm and routine.
KELLY