MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Chile preparing for 2005 presidential election.

Former Chilean Defence Minister Michelle Bachelet has the greatest chances of becoming the ruling coalition's candidate for the December 2005 presidential election according to the latest opinion polls released in Santiago by Centro de Estudios de la Realidad Contemporánea, CERC.

Ms. Bachelet figures with a growing 40% support, followed by another former minister Soledad Alvear with a stagnant 21%; former president Eduardo Frei 9% and Interior minister Jose Miguel Inzulza 5%.

As to the politicians with most future CERC' opinion poll indicated Santiago Mayor and leader of the opposition Joaquín Lavín with 58%, followed by Michelle Bachelet 48%; Soledad Alvear 38% and Sebastián Piñera 17%.

President Ricardo Lagos personal approval stands at 56%, one point less than the 57% of last July.

As to the coming October 31 municipal elections, 59% of Chileans already know who they will be voting for and 36% remain undecided, with an anticipated participation index of 92%.

Finally regarding the so called "Pinochet factor", only 15% of those interviewed believe the funds stashed in secret accounts in the US Riggs bank of Washington and belonging to the former dictator actually were generated by savings and good investments. A majority, 66% of Chileans rejects point blank the suggestion.

Similarly a majority of interviews, 59%, believe Pinochet's secret funds actually are government money, and only 17% reject this possibility.

However, 24% of Chileans still consider that Mr. Pinochet will be remembered as "a man of good intentions who ignored what his collaborators were doing". But those rejecting this position, following the secret funds scandal increased nine points and stand at 63%.