MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Massive rally to close Bachelet's campaign in Chile

Chilean ruling coalition presidential candidate Michelle Bachelet will be holding a massive final rally, ahead of Sunday's run off, with full support from local and Spanish artists who have promised to sing and entertain a crowd estimated in over 100.000.

The event is scheduled for late Thursday in downtown Santiago, before the beginning of the 48 hours political propaganda ban leading to Sunday voting and should, according to organizers, be more impressive than that of current President Ricardo Lagos six years ago. "The rally will focus on culture and entertainment given the close relation between the artists' world and Michelle, and she will close the act as the only speaker of the night", announced elected Senators Soledad Alvear and Guido Girardi.

The rally will be broadcasted in real time by satellite to ten of Chile's main cities where similar acts will be held closing the campaign of Ms. Bachelet, who public opinion polls indicate will most probably be Chile's next president and the first woman to lead the country.

Her opponent Conservative candidate Santiago Piñera has still to announce his campaign's closing rally.

"He wouldn't dare close the campaign in Santiago, the most he could achieve would be a concentration in some shopping mall in Las Condes (Santiago's most posh neighborhood), if he wants people to show up. We on the other hand can organize a rally in downtown Santiago and people will flock automatically", said Senator Girardi.

Among the Spanish artists are Miguel Bosé, Ana Belén, Victor Manuel and Ismael Serrano. Besides in Madrid the Spanish ruling Socialist party will be holding Wednesday evening an event in support of Ms Bachelet with the participation among others of former President Felipe González, former Economy minister Carlos Solchaga, Literature Nobel Prize winner Jose Saramago and folk singers Joaquin Sabina and Joan Manuel Serrat.

The French Socialists have also sent their support for the ruling coalition candidate. Lower House member Segolene Royal and tipped as the Socialist candidate for France's coming presidential election is currently in Chile and has expressed French Socialists full backing for Ms Bachlet, even participating in some of the controversies involving the alleged "solid left turn" of the ruling coalition candidate.

"I think it's extremely incorrect to jump to obnoxious conclusions on the matter. Several European political leaders as well as from other countries are supporting and have expressed their intention of participating in closing campaign rallies", said Ms Royal.