MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Mrs Kirchner's heats Chilean presidential election

Chilean opposition parties bitterly complained the scheduled participation of Argentine First Lady Cristina Kirchner in Thursday's final rally of the ruling coalition candidate Michelle Bachelet for next Sunday's presidential election.

Not only is Mrs. Kirchner's presence "imprudent" but evidence that the ruling coalition candidate needs "sponsors" to hide her "lack of leadership", said Joaquin Lavin one of the conservative candidates.

Chilean media quotes Argentine press which states that the trip of Senator Fernandez de Kirchner is virtually an "official backing" of Ms Bachelet candidacy.

"Her presence is totally counterproductive", added Mr. Lavin and the other Conservative candidate Sebastian Piñera argued that "it's not healthy that the (Argentine) Senator should take part in Chilean politics".

However Lily Perez, a Lower House member from the opposition was less dramatic and said "fortunately the Kirchners don't enjoy much love in Chile".

Chilean President Ricardo Lagos brushed aside the remarks from the opposition candidates and forecasted that in next Sunday's election the ruling coalition will gain 48% of the vote for Congressional seats.

In the 2001 mid term Congressional elections, the ruling coalition, or Concertación Democratica managed 47,9% of votes for Lower House candidates and 45% for the Senate.

President Lagos said he was optimistic because of the good showing in local elections last year when the ruling coalition garnered 48% of votes for Councillors and 44,8% for mayors.

"I believe no other ruling coalition has been as successful in Chile's history as has been Concertacion", underlined Mr. Lagos insisting it's the only coalition that can ensure "governance and deliver on promises".

But Mr. Lavín suggested President Lagos should not be so optimistic recalling that six years ago the public opinion polls showed him a clear winner "but he then had a very tight run off with me".

Mr. Piñera said that those only entitled to give or deny governance are the eight million of Chileans who will be voting next Sunday, "and not those who feel they own democracy, social sensitivity and governance".

In spite of months of a comfortable lead, basically on the excellent performance of the Chilean economy boosted by record prices of copper and other commodities, Ms Bachelet according to the latest opinion polls has began to stabilize and loose ground to the two Conservative candidates who together for the first time are 2 to 3 points ahead. However in a run off Ms Bachelet beats any of the two candidates.

Fearing that the ruling coalition candidate has slimmer chances to becoming president in the first round, President Lagos and some of the more prestigious faces of his administration have been openly campaigning highlighting the achievements of the current administration.

Opposition candidates accused President Lagos of "playing foul" and have demanded he rule as president of all Chileans until his last day in office.

"Or he's everybody's president, which is what we all expect, or he becomes the head of the presidential campaign. For his reputation and because I respect him very much I would like to see him acting in the first option", insisted Mr. Piñera.

"I hate to see my president acting as the armed fist of a "dirty campaign" against another candidate".