The president of the Socialist Party of Chile (PS), Paulina Vodanovic, has expressed her opposition to the candidacy of Michelle Bachelet, former president of the country and member of that political party, within the framework of the new constitutional process.
«I believe that her political support is very important at this stage in the country, but (I believe) that we cannot demand her to assume a candidacy (…) It is not opportune», said Vodanovic before the cameras of the television channel T13.
The leader of the PS assured that all the political formations of the country are working to the maximum to find candidates «of the best level» that will allow a «good representation» in the new constituent process.
Vodanovic thanked, in spite of everything, the predisposition of both Bachelet and the also former Chilean President Ricardo Lagos for having openly manifested their «willingness to support» the constitutional process the country is facing.
«Like President Lagos, he has an experience, something that is very important for us from progressivism (…) and we must be grateful for this willingness to support us», remarked the leader of Chilean socialism.
Chile is in the process of promoting a new constitutional process after the failure of the last constituent proposals, submitted to referendum at the beginning of September motivated by the social protests that took place in the country in November 2019.
That constitutional plebiscite registered a turnout of 85.86 percent and resulted in a notable rejection of the proposal. Approval received a little over 38 percent of the votes, while rejection was around 62 percent, thus derailing the possibilities of a new Magna Carta.
Bachelet was president of Chile for two terms — from 2006 to 2010 and four years later, from 2010 to 2014 — on both occasions under the umbrella of the Chilean Socialist Party. She had previously held the positions of Health and Defense during the Lagos presidency (2000-2006).
Source: (EUROPA PRESS)
