Bachelet elected Chilean President for second timeDecember 16, 2013 - 09:30 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Left-wing candidate Michelle Bachelet has been elected Chilean president for a second time, defeating her run-off rival by a wide margin, BBC News said. With nearly 90% of the vote counted, Ms Bachelet had 62% to 38% for Evelyn Matthei, a former minister from the ruling centre-right coalition. Bachelet first served as president in 2006-10, after which she was obliged by electoral laws to stand down. She narrowly missed out on outright victory in the first round last month. "I am happy with the result and victory and I shall be a president for everyone in Chile," Bachelet, 62, said as she received a congratulatory telephone call from outgoing President Sebastian Pinera, according to Reuters. At a speech to supporters, she said: "I am proud to be your president-elect today. I am proud of the country we've built but I am even more proud of the country we will build." Bachelet is now set to become the first leader in Chile to serve two terms since the military rule of Gen Augusto Pinochet in 1973 to 1990. Upon hearing the news, her supporters have been celebrating on the streets by waving flags and sounding car horns in the capital Santiago. "It is clear at this point. She won. And we congratulate her. Later on, I will go speak with her personally," Ms Matthei, 60, told reporters. Official results of Sunday, Dec 15 run-off are expected soon. Turnout appears to have been lower than expected. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Narek Manasyan wins European Boxing Championships silver for Armenia Armenia’s Narek Manasyan (92kg) won Armenia’s second silver medal at the European Boxing Championships 2024 on April 28. Blinken urges Azerbaijan to continue negotiations with Armenia Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken has urged Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to continue negotiations with Armenia. Pashinyan, Blinken talk Armenia-U.S. ties over the phone Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had a phone conversation with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on April 28, Pashinyan’s office reports. Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation. |