MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Chile: promises of 120 sweeping reforms in 120 days

Chile's conservative presidential candidate Sebastian Piñera announced Tuesday 120 measures he promised to rapidly implement in 120 days if he wins the January 15 runoff against ruling coalition candidate Michelle Bachelet.

The long list of promises includes creating 100.000 new jobs; an additional 12.000 policemen on the stump; a tough new anti-crime bill; further access to health services and even a pension scheme for housewives, all of which "are totally funded" and will help combat poverty and upgrade education, health, housing, said Mr. Piñera during a press conference in Santiago.

The list was Piñera's response to the 36 measures that rival Socialist Bachelet announced she would implement during her first 100 days in office.

The winner of the Jan. 15 runoff is scheduled to be sworn in March 11.

Piñera, a successful businessman belonging to one of the Chile's richest families, said his projects are geared to solving the problems of six large sectors of society: farmers, the elderly, the disabled, women, provinces and small and medium-size businesses.

The measures will be funded by "the larger tax revenues that will be collected when I am president" he stressed.

Mr. Piñera also proposed amending the Chilean constitution to have all Chileans automatically included in the Electoral Roll; making voting voluntary and reforming the controversial bi-nominal Senate electoral system inherited from the military regime, and which always ensures the minority a seat in each circumscription, helping pro-Pinochet and conservative forces obtain enough seats to veto unwanted legislation.

Wednesday evening both candidates will defend their proposals in an open televised national debate.

In the first round last December 11, Ms Bachelet was the most voted candidate, 46%, but still short of the 50% plus one vote which would have avoided this month's runoff.

In spite of the divided conservative showing in the first round, Mr. Piñera has managed to take the initiative in the debate leading to the run off questioning Ms Bachelet lack of "leadership" capacity and accusing her of leaning, dangerously, "too far to the left" from the moment she sat to negotiate support from the Communist party.

A non encouraging remark for the ruling coalition's junior partner the Christian Democrats, many of whose members feel more at ease with candidate Piñera.