MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

President Bachelet first 100 days in office

Chilean president Michelle Bachelet celebrates Sunday her first 100 days in office and can feel satisfied since most of the 36 measures she promised for this period have been accomplished, according to the Chilean press.

However her performance approval has suffered having dropped to 56%, eleven points less than in May, with disapproval standing at 31%, which is 15 points above last month indicates a public opinion poll published by La Tercera, morning newspaper.

"The drop (in support) is principally because of the high school students' massive demonstrations (in May and at the beginning of June) and the lack of coordination that this caused within the Cabinet," the newspaper said.

For weeks secondary school students later supported by universities protested in demand for reforms to the education system plus the elimination of exam fees to have access to tertiary education, and free transport.

Police heavy hand tactics in dispersing demonstrations also backfired for the government and forced the sacking of some over zealous Carbineros officers.

Nonetheless Ms Bachelet still maintains a relatively high level of approval particularly since the 56% rating is higher that the percentage of votes that elected her president last January, 53.5%.

The surveys shows 67% believe president Bachelet is leading the country in the right direction, while only 33% disagree.

Additionally and equally important 57% of interviews indicated that in her first 100 days in office Ms Bachelet has shown leadership capability.

The phone survey interviewed 1.011 people in Santiago and another eight major Chilean cities between June 13 and 15.

Among the pending promises are social security government payments for youngsters from low income homes; subsidies to finance mandatory preliminary schooling for 40% of the country's children and subsidies for working mothers.

On the political front promises of changes to the current electoral system dating back to the Pinochet regime which ensures a Senate seat to Conservatives plus the creation of a Public Security Ministry to improve crime combat remain stand by since Congress is discussing both initiatives.

Furthermore Ms Bachelet had to personally intervene to discipline the different factions of the ruling coalition particularly dissidence between the Christian Democrats and some small radical groups which were demanding a cabinet reshuffle following the student revolt.

Former president Eduardo Frei and currently Senate whip said it was a time of "discipline" inside government and "loyalty" to the president.

"It's too soon to say she can't govern", said political analyst Jose Miguel Izquierdo from Diego Portales University.

Three are the main challenges Ms Bachelet faces: the fact she's the first woman president; avoid been seen as the manager of former president Lagos political capital and convert promises of social participation into something real, said Izquierdo.

"Social demands will turn into social pressure, demonstrations and the challenge is how to channel these demands".

"Beware that a full generation of under 17s with very specific demands surprised the Bachelet administration and the whole political system. The kids' militancy surprised us all", warns Izquierdo.