MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Chilean president will leave in March.

Chilean President Ricardo Lagos, who is enjoying a high approval rating, said he had no plans to run again in 2010, adding that the key in politics was knowing when to quit.

"I don't think so, because everything has its time. Six years is a tremendous effort, and time takes its toll. I also think that in public life you have to know when to retire at the proper time," Lagos said in response to a question about whether he would run for president again in the future.

The Chilean leader, who has only nine months left in office, currently has an approval rating of around 60 percent.

In a wide-ranging interview with Canal 13 television, Lagos talked about his life, family and the recent death of his mother at the age of 108, as well as the allegations of nepotism levelled against his administration by the rightist opposition.

The Chilean president said his wife, Luisa Duran, longs to return to the simpler life she had before his election.

As for his plans after leaving the presidency, Lagos said he would return to his apartment and continue driving his old Peugeot.