Michelle Bachelet was Chile’s first female president
You will definitely notice that the climate is much calmer as you learn Spanish in Chile. Things began to shift in a
more stable direction in 1989 when Chile elected a new president, namely, Patricio Aylwin who served until 1994. Another democratic leader Eduardo Frei Ruiz-Tagle followed. Most recently, in 2006, Chile elected Michelle Bachelet from the Socialist party. This was the country’s first female president.
Today, the president of Chile is Miguel Juan Sebastian PineraEchenique. He is a former Senate member who is also an investor and capitalists. In fact, he is one of the richest people in the whole country. Pinera’s win seems to indicate that Chileans are currently leaning towards the right. It is interesting to note that Pinera was the first leader from the right-wing party in 52 years. He is also the country’s first billionaire to be president.
As you attend Spanish immersion school in Santiago, be sure to read the newspaper and watch the news broadcasts. The media should answer many of your questions about modern history and politics. As your Spanish improves, you will be able to understand more and more of this information.