Special Insight Papers

With under a week to go to Chile's municipal elections (on 31 October), President Lagos has entered the fray, backing government candidates in various regions across the country. On 19 October Lagos travelled north to lend his support, via radio interviews, to would-be Concertación mayors and councillors in Arica, Ovalle, La Serena and Coyhaique. The president knows, however, that the real political battle will be fought over the mayoralty of Santiago, and could give a strong indication of the way the wind is blowing ahead of the presidential elections in 2005.