36 CultureShock! Chile
Ricardo Lagos
In March 2000, Ricardo Lagos took office as the first socialist
president of Chile since Salvador Allende. He narrowly
defeated the rising star of the Right—Joaquín Lavín. He
served for six years and has been one of Chile’s most
popular presidents. During his term, there was an emphasis
on social policy without abandoning the principle of a free
market economy. Chile remained an export powerhouse
in Latin America and started adopting changes necessary
to become a developed country. During his administration
a landmark constitutional amendment was agreed upon
that, it is said, completed the transition to democracy. The
reforms included the elimination of the appointed senators
and greatly reduced the autonomy of the armed forces. It
also shortened the presidential term to four years, without
immediate re-election. President Lagos left office with an
approval rating of over 70 per cent, which is no easy feat.The Passing of Pinochet
In December 2006, at the age of 91, Augusto Pinochet died.
As his body lay in state at the Military Academy, thousands
of people passed by the casket to offer their last respects.
This shows, that after everything, he still had many devoted
supporters. Simultaneously, thousands of people protested in
Santiago and other parts of the country, celebrating his passing
and the end of a tumultuous era. He was given a military
funeral and President Michelle Bachelet did not attend.Michelle Bachelet
In 2006, Chile elected its first woman president, Michelle
Bachelet Jeria. A pediatrician, she is a socialist and a former
Minister of Health and Minister of Defense. As President, she
has promised to maintain current economic policies while
implementing an ambitious social reform package. She
hopes to improve education, health care, infrastructure and
labour policy. Her father served in the Allende government,
was imprisoned and tortured and died while in prison.
She and her mother were both arrested and tortured. As
President she has called for the country to come together