MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
Chile's Bachelet waiting for the year to end: 2015 has been the worst in her political history
“Clearly, up to now, it's been the worst,” Bachelet told newspaper Publimetro. “In other words, I can't wait for the year to end on Dec. 31.” 
Bachelet's term is from 2014 to 2018. She first served as president from 2006 to 2010, during which she enjoyed far higher popularity. 
The year started with accusations that Bachelet's son used his political connections to help his wife gain access to a US$10 million loan to invest in a real estate deal. It has been a bad year, Chilean President Michelle Bachelet told a Santiago newspaper this week, admitting that corruption scandals have sapped confidence in the country's institutions while sparking a reform drive that should bear fruit going forward.
The world's leading copper-producing country has been hit by a series of money-politics scandals. Half-way through her second term, Bachelet has seen her popularity fall to all-time lows before recovering to about 30% currently.
“Clearly, up to now, it's been the worst,” Bachelet told newspaper Publimetro. “In other words, I can't wait for the year to end on Dec. 31.”
Bachelet's term is from 2014 to 2018. She first served as president from 2006 to 2010, during which the former doctor and high-ranking U.N. official enjoyed far higher popularity.
Chile's business and political establishment has been rocked by a tax and campaign financing scandal. The year started with accusations that Bachelet's son used his political connections to help his wife gain preferential access to a US$10 million loan to invest in a quick real estate deal.
“Things have happened this year that have caused a serious reduction in confidence,” Bachelet told the newspaper. “Things have come to light that don't make any Chilean proud.”
In November a founding member of Chile's largest party was found guilty of fraud, the first conviction of a politician in an ongoing campaign financing investigation.
She said she believes 2016 will be better thanks to anti-corruption measures that are being put in place. “I expect everything to improve. I'm not talking about my numbers in the opinion polls, but that the measures we are taking will bear fruit,” she said.
Top Comments
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Read all commentsSome politicians shouldn't believe their own hype.
Dec 31st, 2015 - 10:36 am 0She was doing so well after her first term.
Like all commies she could keep the thing going as long as the money rolled in.
Dec 31st, 2015 - 11:35 am 0The price of copper tanked, as it does for various reasons, and that was that.
Incorrectly read the mind of the public, especially students, and you have the systemic problems to the fore.
Quite how the 1st January is going to to improve the reality as of now seems to be wishful thinking.
Vasquez, the president of Uruguay, was crying his eyes out about how hard he has had to 'work' the last nine months or so!
Well he wanted it, he did not foresee the brooding, malevolent, presence of 'No Money Pepe' in the congress stymieing everything he tries to do. And that by a member of his own coalition of the aptly nicknamed 'Broad Fraud'.
Oh diddums' to the children that 'rule' us. The lot of them need to grow up.
This would all be fixed if only the net taxpayers into the gov't were able to vote.
Dec 31st, 2015 - 12:37 pm 0Don't pay taxes or get welfare no vote.
Few exceptions such as retired (paid in over lifetime) or military service.
Problems solved.
All over the world.
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