LatinNews Daily Report - 26 June 2013 |
Tensions rise ahead of Chile primaries |
Development: On 25 June President Sebastián Piñera said that his government would “fulfil its duty” and ensure that the 13m Chileans registered to vote in the 30 June presidential primaries would be able to do so. Significance: Some of the schools due to serve as voting centres are currently occupied by protesting secondary school students. While President Piñera said that his administration “would continue to seek dialogue” with the students, his remarks were widely considered a threat against those that are refusing to leave the premises. According to the Chilean association of municipalities (AChM), 14 voting centres are currently being occupied. The students’ intransigence is fuelling concerns about potential violence ahead of the vote. In a recent (23 June) TV debate the presumptive 2013 presidential candidate for the opposition Concertación coalition, Michelle Bachelet (2006-2010), called on the authorities to prevent a “blood bath”, a comment that earned her a harsh rebuke from the government spokesperson, Cecilia Pérez. Key points:
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