MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Crucial municipal elections in Chile

Chilean president Ricardo Lagos admitted that “indiscipline” from members of the ruling coalition who decided to resign and thus run in the coming municipal elections as “independents” in over 70 towns, will seriously impair the government's electoral results.

With less than three weeks before the October 31 election Mr. Lagos for the first time agreed to address the issue which has caused deep concern among the parties of the ruling Concertación Democrática.

"I estimate we'll be loosing 4% of the votes because of these candidates who didn't abide by party rules and decided to become independents, competing with our official candidates", indicated President Lagos. Although the conservative opposition faces similar erosion it has been described as far milder than that of the ruling coalition.

Mr. Lagos statements are seen as the launching of an electoral strategy to convince voters who follow "dissident" candidates that they are effectively voting against the government. President Lagos who has been campaigning in support of government candidates has made it clear that when counting votes October 31, it's either for or against his administration, "there's no possible other option".

The coming municipal elections at the end of the month are a crucial step towards the presidential round of December 2005 when Mr. Lagos successor will be elected. After three consecutive terms of the ruling coalition (14 years) and in spite of President Lagos personal popularity there is a growing feeling in Chile that voters will support Santiago mayor Joaquin Lavin from the conservative opposition, as almost happened in December 1999 forcing a second round in January 2000..

"The 4% loss the president is moaning about is in anticipation of the coming defeat. It's a majority of Chileans that are fed up with his administration", said Manuel Rivera a local independent candidate and former member of the ruling coalition.