Chile’s Four Presidential Candidates

Michelle Bachelet: is running for the successful centre-left Concertación coalition that has governed Chile since the return to democracy in 1990. Bachelet hopes -and is expected- to become Chile's first woman president trained pediatrician, epidemiologist, and public health specialist, Dr. Bachelet is a University of Chile graduate who also holds degrees in Military Science from renowned Chilean and U.S. schools. She served as the Health and Defence Minister before becoming the favourite of the electorate.

Sebastian Piñera leads the rightist RN Party. Piñera a billionaire, estimates put his wealth at US$ 1.3 Billion, has spent the most of all candidates seeking the Presidency. He owns a number of major businesses, including Chile's national airline LAN Chile with airlines interests in Argentina, Peru, and Ecuador. Piñera owns national television station Chilevisión, is a major stockholder in pension funds, shipping, and many others. His wealth is estimated to be 1% of Chile's GDP.

Joaquin Lavín is trying for the second time to win the presidency. He leads the hard line conservative rightist UDI Party. Lavín is the former Mayor of Santiago. In 1999 Lavín came 30 thousand votes behind outgoing president Ricardo Lagos.

Tomas Hirsch leads the leftist coalition that includes the Communist and Humanist Parties. He is a member of the Humanist Party who is leading the leftist coalition that is critical of the free market system.

If no candidate reaches 50% of the votes plus 1, then there is a runoff election a month later, with the two leading vote getters.

According to polls Dr. Bachelet would get 46 percent, Piñera 25 percent, Lavín 21 percent Hirsch 6 percent. That would mean a run-off election for January 15.