The Center for Democracy in the Americas is studying the administration of President Michelle Bachelet.

Central to President Bachelet’s project is her commitment to Chile reinventing itself; she symbolizes looking forward, toward the future, rather than to the past. She also offers a different way of doing politics. She brings new blood into the political arena.  She is taking steps to have gender parity not only in her Cabinet but in federal and local positions in government. 

But President Bachelet also faces challenges.  Latin America’s first woman president elected on the strength of her own political record faces difficult choices regarding how much to rectify injustices inherited from the Pinochet era.  Chile’s political system comes closest to resembling European social democracy, but with high expectations.  There are critics who think the president is not moving fast enough to put more comprehensive social reforms in place. For the remainder of her term, the presidency will be judged on whether Chile can make a more liberal model of democracy work for all of its citizens. 

CDA has helped lead delegations visiting Chile to attend Michelle Bachelet’s inauguration as president and to study the progress of her administration.   We are working for a greater public understanding of her efforts to broaden participation by women in Chile’s economic, social, and national life.

Chile is a country that ought to command the attention of U.S. policymakers:  it is stable, democratic, and progressive; it pursues its own path in the region and, with Michelle Bachelet’s leadership despite its challenges, Chile offers inspiration and hope to women everywhere.