MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Incumbent candidate leads vote intention

If Chile's presidential elections were held this week the ruling coalition Concertacion candidate Michelle Bachelet would manage 48% of the vote, according to the latest public opinion poll from Ipsos Search Marketing published Sunday.

Runner up would be liberal Sebastian Piñera with 21%, followed by conservative Joaquin Lavin 16% and Tomas Hirsch, "Together we can", 3%.

If there was a runoff, between Bachelet and Piñera, the former Defence minister would win 56% to 34%; if between Bachelet and Lavin, the score would be 60 to 30%.

When specifically asked who is Chile's next president? 73% of interviews replied Ms Bachelet; 11% for Piñera, 10% for Lavin and 6% did not answer. As to the rejection factor, (no vote under any circumstances),Mr. Lavin was ahead with 43%; 32% for Hirsch; 12% Bachelet and 7% Piñera.

Ispsos Research also showed that Ms. Bachelet is considered the best candidate to address issues such as health, 62%; education, 56%; poverty 52%; and equal opportunities 56%.

Regarding law and order, Mr. Lavin leads with 46% and economic development Mr. Peñera with 49%.

The phone poll was done September 22/29, involving 819 people in 28 different cities, with a plus/minus margin of 3,4%