MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Lagos blamed for campaigning.a

An influential member of the Chilean ruling coalition argued president Ricardo Lagos can not remain quiet or numb to opposition's accusations that pretend to deny the government achievements

Former president Patricio Aylwin and now a Senator said that "it's not only legitimate but democratic that the president report to public opinion on the government's activities". This Sunday legislative elections to renew Congress will be held in Chile and the opposition has accused president Lagos of actively participating in the campaign inaugurating schools, roads, nurseries and other public works of popular impact. Senator Aylwin added that in spite of the "vicious" campaign by the Conservative opposition, the ruling Concertación alliance will not be tempted to the degrading challenge of confrontation. Mr. Aylwin was also optimistic about Sunday's election results. "We'll manage more votes than President Lagos in his election and we'll therefore have a majority in Congress". According to the Chilean Constitution, inherited from the Pinochet regime, the ruling party must hold two thirds of seats to act as a majority. The electoral system, also set up by the military to prevent ruling parties and coalitions to hold a majority, demanded 66% of votes to win a seat and 34% for the second position. Since under democracy rarely is 66% achievable, the Chilean ruling coalition easily manages the 34% mark. "Under the binomial system, 66% and 34% is the same, one and one", stressed Mr. Aylwin. In spite of indicating a growing apathy among voters, opinion polls also give the ruling coalition a comfortable lead