Chile faces run-off election

Chileans went to the polls Sunday for the 4th time since the end of Pinochet's dictatorship. Michelle Bachelet the candidate of the ruling Centre-left Concertación coalition will have to wait until next month to see if she'll become Chile's first female President.

She received 46 percent of the vote in Sunday's election so she will face a runoff next month against billionaire businessman Sebastian Piñera who finished with 25 percent of the vote.

During her election night speech, Bachelet told a throng of supporters gathered on the courtyard of a downtown hotel, that she has her “convictions” that will carry Bachelet to victory.

“I have always been on the side of those who have less; of those who seek better life opportunities; of those who fought for democracy,” Bachelet told supporters.

Attacking billionaire second place candidate Piñera, Bachelet said “that in spite of the all of money of the right-wing candidate it will not prevent the will of the people the night of January 15.”

Bachelet faced the strong challenge of two right-wing conservative candidates, billionaire businessman Piñera and hard-line conservative Joaquín Lavín. Also running was leftist candidate Tomas Hirsch.

Bachelet received 46 percent of the votes; Piñera came second at 25 percent, Lavín received 22 percent of the preference, while Hirsch obtained 5 percent of the votes.

Bachelet a medical doctor hopes to lead the ruling coalition to its fourth presidential term since the return to democracy in 1990.

Chile prepares now for its second run off election in its history, set for January 15.