Chile’s presidential vote goes to round two

(Vatican Radio) Chile held its presidential election yesterday. But without a clear majority, citizens will have to go to the polls for a second round on 15 December.

It has been more than 20 years since a candidate has won outright with 50 per cent or more of the vote in the first round of Chile's presidential election. This time around, with nine candidates, a political KO in the first round was always against the odds.

Left-of-centre former president Michelle Bachelet gained almost 47 per cent, compared with her main right-of-center rival Evelyn Matthei, who is a former minister of labor in the administration of President Sebastian Piñera, who got 25 per cent.

The odds are against Matthei. Undaunted, she says it is her job to makes alliances with the other candidates while defining and crystalizing the differences between her and Bachelet.

She says Chile is better off than it was four years ago because of the policies of the current government.

To remind Bachelet of her commitment for free education, especially university education, students have placed a banner in her campaign headquarters, stressing that power is focused on the streets and not in the presidential palace.

Only about half of Chile's eligible 13.5 million voters turned out to vote.

Listen to the report by James Blears: