FOR weeks Chileans had been bracing for a nail-biter. After an inconclusive first round of the presidential election in November, the result of a run-off on December 17th looked uncertain. In the end it wasn’t even close. Sebastián Piñera of the centre-right Chile Vamos (Let’s Go Chile) coalition trounced his centre-left rival, Alejandro Guillier, a senator and former television anchorman, by 55% to 45%. The moderate right has done well of late in South American countries such as Argentina and Brazil, which have become weary of left-wing populism. In Chile Mr Piñera’s victory can be seen as more a vote for continuity than radical change.
In his acceptance speech on the Alameda, the main drag of the capital, Santiago, a jubilant Mr Piñera promised unity, dialogue and consensus. Crowds of supporters cheered, but also breathed a sigh of relief. Earlier opinion polls had shown the candidates neck and neck. That might have stirred more of Mr Piñera’s supporters to vote;...Continue reading
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