SANTIAGO, Chile
Associated Press - November 17, 2013 (AP)
Chileans were preparing to return Michelle Bachelet to the presidency on
Sunday, with supporters hoping she can fulfill promises to reform a
dictatorship-era system they blame for keeping the working classes poor
and indebted to the privileged few.
Chile is the world's top copper producer and its fast-growing economy,
low unemployment and stable democracy are the envy of Latin America. But
millions of Chileans have taken to the streets in recent years, venting
their frustration over the huge wealth gap between the rich and poor
and a chronically underfunded education system.
Many voters blame free-market policies imposed during Gen. Augusto
Pinochet's dictatorship for keeping wealth and power in very few hands.
He sold off water services, undid land reforms, privatized pensions, cut
wages, slashed trade barriers and encouraged exports
Bachelet, 62, is a former political prisoner, pediatrician, defense
secretary and Socialist Party stalwart who is a centrist at heart.
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