Continuidades, cambios y desafíos democráticos en Chile (2006-2009)

During December of 2005 and January of 2006 Chileans chose their new chief executive, Michelle Bachelet, and renewed Congress for period 2006-2009. The elections transpired without disruptions and granted the governing coalition “Concertación de Partidos por la Democracia” (CPD) its fourth uninterrupted mandate since transition to democracy in 1990. Given that the constitutional reforms of 2005 eliminated the designated senators, this administration enjoys the most comfortable majority in congress since 1990. Despite it is possible to see the Chilean government immersed in a context of institutional stability and booming prices of Chilean products at the international arena, this scenario could—paradoxically—manifest itself in a situation of social stress that might seriously complicate the agenda of President Bachelet and h r coalition.