Michelle Bachelet took office for a second time on 11 March, receiving the presidential sash from the leader of the senate, Isabel Allende, daughter of the coup-toppled former president Salvador Allende (1970-1973). Outgoing President Sebastián Piñera pinned the star of Bernardo O’Higgins, Chile’s liberator, on the sash during the inauguration ceremony in congress. When Piñera was sworn in four years earlier in Valparaíso, fierce aftershocks left congressmen and visiting presidents looking anxiously at the ceiling overhead. Bachelet faces a figurative earthquake with 19 social organisations planning a “march of marches” as early as 22 March to demand a constituent assembly to reform the constitution dating back to the post-Allende dictatorship. This makes it clear that she will not be granted the traditional 100-day honeymoon to settle in.End of preview - This article contains approximately 995 words.
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