The Era of Women

Chilean President™ · March 11, 2006, 18:16

Bachelet take office as
Chile's first female President.
Lagos steps down with 70% of approval and standing ovations on Santiago and Valparaíso

VALPARAISO.- Michelle Bachelet, Chile's first woman president, was sworn in on Saturday before a who's who of America's resurgent leftist leadership, and U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

Brazil's Luiz Inacio "Lula" de Silva, Argentina's Nestor Kirchner, Uruguay's Tabare Vazquez, Venezuela's Hugo Chavez and Bolivia's Evo Morales were among more than two dozen heads of state at the inauguration in the coastal city of Valparaiso, home to Chile's Congress.

Bachelet, a medical doctor and former defense minister, is the fourth consecutive leader from the center-left coalition that has ruled Chile since 1990.

"This is a big party for Chilean democracy, this is what makes our country serious and trustworthy in the world," said popular outgoing President Ricardo Lagos, who ended his six-year term with an approval rating of more than 70 percent, as he was cheered by crowds outside the Presidential Palace of La Moneda and in Valparaíso.

Bachelet, the first elected woman leader in South America, is expected to continue Lagos' successful mix of liberal social policies, fiscal discipline and free market economic policies that have brought Chile prosperity and made it the most stable nation of the region.

Chile, the biggest copper producer in the world, is living an economic boom thanks to high prices for metals. Consumers are spending freely and the government, enjoying a budget surplus, is building new highways and infrastructure.

Bachelet is at the pragmatic end of the different strains of leftism now in power in Latin America. Chile is one of the most U.S.-friendly nations in the region, though it has parted ways on some issues such as the war in Iraq.

The free-market styles of Brazil and Chile contrast with the price controls and populism of Kirchner, while no leader has joined Chavez's self-styled revolution and anti-U.S. discourse, although Morales is critical of U.S. drug policy in Bolivia.

Speaking to reporters traveling with her to Chile, Rice said her attendance at the inauguration reaffirmed U.S. strong relationship and friendship with the Chilean people.

"I think it is good to remember that it has now almost been 20 years that the United States has been a friend and supporter of democracy in Chile. We actually helped with the transition to democracy in Chile," she said.

The United States, alarmed by the socialist government of democratically elected Salvador Allende in the early 1970s, also supported the Pinochet regime.

Rice said Bachelet and her family were a symbol of what the Chilean people had gone through to reach where the country was today. Bachelet's father, an air force general, died after being arrested during the military regime.

Bachelet and her mother lived in exile after they were briefly imprisoned in Chile during the Pinochet dictatorship.

"It's a story of tragedy and then of triumph," said Rice. "This journey for Chile was a difficult one," she added.

Bachelet, who was elected in a January 15 runoff, took her oath before Senate President, and former President of the Republic, Eduardo Frei.

"I want a government in which citizens have an active participation," the 54-year-old President told residents of the town of Casablanca shortly after her inauguration. "A government at the service of people."

In her first official act as president, Bachelet fulfilled a key campaign promise: she swore in her 20-member Cabinet of 10 men and 10 women. She has promised to have equal numbers of men and women in some 300 decision-making posts.

She also plans legislation that would require political parties to include a certain percentage of women in their lists of candidates in congressional and municipal elections.

Bachelet appeared relaxed during the ceremony as she repeatedly waved in response to greetings from people in the stands. She smiled broadly when someone shouted, "We love you, Michelle!"

Lagos removed the white, red and blue presidential sash he was wearing and handed it to Frei, a former president himself, who placed it on Bachelet.

At times, the exuberance of Bachelet's supporters burst through the solemnity. A group of mostly young people in the stands chanted, "Ole, Ole, Ole, Michelle, Michelle, Michelle!"

Bachelet is seen somewhat more to the left of Lagos, although equally supportive of the strict fiscal discipline and free-market economic policies that helped make Chile one of the region's success stories.

She's also expected to maintain Lagos' foreign policy, including close ties with the United States, which which Washington signed a free-trade accord.

Sava · March 11, 2006, 18:19

what did those guys behind her get those medals for?

were they boy scouts or something?

I don't recall Chile being in any wars

Sava · March 11, 2006, 18:23

to Chile BTW

so is America like, the only country to not have a female president?

seriously

I bet Iran will have a female leader before we will

Chilean President™ · March 11, 2006, 18:29

Originally posted by Sava
what did those guys behind her get those medals for?

Most of the aide-de-camp have served in international peacekeeping missions. I guess some of the medals must be rewards after they came back to the country and others for years of service. But who knows, perhaps they just like bright shiny things