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Michelle Bachelet Wins Chilean Election But Will Face Runoff

Categories: Latin America, Chile, Elections, Politics
Michelle Bachelet votes on November 17, 2013 in Santiago, Chile. Photo by prensachile3, copyright Demotix [1]

Michelle Bachelet votes on November 17, 2013 in Santiago, Chile. Photo by prensachile3, copyright Demotix

With 46.7% of the vote [2], former Chilean president Michelle Bachelet [3] was the clear winner of Chile's presidential election. However, the former Executive Director of UN Women [4] will have to face a runoff election in December against conservative candidate Evelyn Matthei [5], who came in second with 25% of the vote.

Bachelet's win didn't come as a surprise, as some forecasts [6]had even predicted that she could've won an absolute majority of the vote in the first round.

But on social networks users had voiced their discontent with Bachelet's candidacy and her previous administration throughout the campaign. After yesterday's results, many are commenting about the difference between views on social networks and reality in Chile:

A tip for brands: After these election results you know that social networks have NO weight.

[If you voted for Bachelet] I'm glad to know that social networks don't represent reality. We are a group of privileged people with a smartphone.

[If you voted for Bachelet] you probably don't have Twitter.

I would like to know how many of those using #SiVotastePorBachelet [8] went out to vote….You can't change the country on social networks!!

The hashtag #SiVotastePorBachelet [8] [If you voted for Bachelet] began trending in Chile on election day, and has been trending today too, a day after the election.

[If you voted for Bachelet] don't complain about student protests.

[If you voted for Bachelet]
-Start saying goodbye to your Pyme (small and medium-sized business)
-Less sustainability
-Welcome Monsanto
-More thermoelectric plants
Should I continue?

Conservative candidate Evelyn Matthei will face Michelle Bachelet in a runoff vote on December 15, 2013. Photo by Fernando Lavoz, copyright Demotix [14]

Conservative candidate Evelyn Matthei will face Michelle Bachelet in a runoff vote on December 15, 2013. Photo by Fernando Lavoz, copyright Demotix

Meanwhile, Jeaneth Alexandra points out:

The presence of women is getting stronger. Two [female] candidates, Bachelet and Matthei, to the runoff for the presidency in Chile.

And Bachelet and Matthei supporters congratulate their candidates:

Congratulations to the next president of my country…a woman full of convictions. I'm with you [Michelle Bachelet]

We are going for that runoff on December 15, for a government full of changes

Finally, with a conciliatory attitude, Julio Arriagada writes:

Excellent for Chileans who voted. Now we must motivate those who didn't care about voting. Congratulations to Bachelet and Matthei. Viva Chile!