Michelle Bachelet Wins Chilean Election But Will Face Runoff · Global Voices
Silvia Viñas

Michelle Bachelet votes on November 17, 2013 in Santiago, Chile. Photo by prensachile3, copyright Demotix
With 46.7% of the vote, former Chilean president Michelle Bachelet was the clear winner of Chile's presidential election. However, the former Executive Director of UN Women will have to face a runoff election in December against conservative candidate Evelyn Matthei, who came in second with 25% of the vote.
Bachelet's win didn't come as a surprise, as some forecasts had even predicted that she could've won an absolute majority of the vote in the first round.
But on social networks users had voiced their discontent with Bachelet's candidacy and her previous administration throughout the campaign. After yesterday's results, many are commenting about the difference between views on social networks and reality in Chile:
Dato para las marcas: Después de los resultados de la elecciones ya sabe que las redes sociales no pesan NADA.
— Javier Ignacio (@Javierdoe) November 18, 2013
A tip for brands: After these election results you know that social networks have NO weight.
#SiVotastePorBachelet me alegra saber que las redes sociales no representan la realidad. Somos 1 grupo de privilegiados con smartphone
— Daniela (@DanielaPazP) November 18, 2013
[If you voted for Bachelet] I'm glad to know that social networks don't represent reality. We are a group of privileged people with a smartphone.
#SiVotastePorBachelet probablemente no tienes twitter
— Humberto Mansilla (@peltoman) November 18, 2013
[If you voted for Bachelet] you probably don't have Twitter.
Me gustaría saber cuantos de los que estan usando el #SiVotastePorBachelet fueron a votar…….. El pais no se cambia en Redes sociales!!!
— Diego Quiroga (@DiegoBatero) November 18, 2013
I would like to know how many of those using #SiVotastePorBachelet went out to vote….You can't change the country on social networks!!
The hashtag #SiVotastePorBachelet [If you voted for Bachelet] began trending in Chile on election day, and has been trending today too, a day after the election.
#SiVotastePorBachelet después no te quejes de las marchas estudiantiles.
— Bastian Mella (@don_bestian) November 17, 2013
[If you voted for Bachelet] don't complain about student protests.
#SiVotastePorBachelet -Empieza a despedirte de tu Pyme -menos sustentabilidad -dale la bienvenida a Monsanto -más termoeléctricas Sigo??
— Claudio Consales (@clAUDIoXC) November 18, 2013
[If you voted for Bachelet]
-Start saying goodbye to your Pyme (small and medium-sized business)
-Less sustainability
-Welcome Monsanto
-More thermoelectric plants
Should I continue?
Conservative candidate Evelyn Matthei will face Michelle Bachelet in a runoff vote on December 15, 2013. Photo by Fernando Lavoz, copyright Demotix
Meanwhile, Jeaneth Alexandra points out:
Cada vez es más fuerte la presencia de las mujeres. Dos candidatas, #Bachelet y #Matthei a la segunda vuelta para la presidencia de #Chile.
— Jeaneth Alexandra (@jeanethburbano) November 18, 2013
The presence of women is getting stronger. Two [female] candidates, Bachelet and Matthei, to the runoff for the presidency in Chile.
And Bachelet and Matthei supporters congratulate their candidates:
Felicitaciones a la próxima presidenta de mi país … Una mujer llena de convicciones, estoy contigo @ComandoMichelle !!!
— Constanza Zurita V. (@czvaldebenito_) November 18, 2013
Congratulations to the next president of my country…a woman full of convictions. I'm with you [Michelle Bachelet]
Vamos por esa 2da vuelta el 15 de dic, por un gobierno lleno de cambios @VotoEvelyn2014 #EvelynUn7ParaChile #EvelynMatthei
— Cote Boegel (@CoteBoegel) November 18, 2013
We are going for that runoff on December 15, for a government full of changes
Finally, with a conciliatory attitude, Julio Arriagada writes:
Excelente x los chilenos q votaron.Ahora se debe motivar a los q no les importó no votar . Felicidades a Bachelet y Matthei . Viva Chile!
— Julio Arriagada (@Julioarriagad) November 17, 2013
Excellent for Chileans who voted. Now we must motivate those who didn't care about voting. Congratulations to Bachelet and Matthei. Viva Chile!