Woman power in Chile: Michelle Bachelet wins presidential polls

, Dec 16: In a landslide victory,Michelle Bachelet was elected as

's

again on Sunday. She had 62% support, the highest number any presidential candidate has obtained since Chile returned to holding democratic elections in 1989.

Evelyn Matthei, the conservative candidate of the ruling Alianza coalition, could earn just 38 % of the vote, the right's worst performance in two decades.

Bachelet, who led Chile between 2006 and 2010 as its first female leader, told the cheering crowd on Monday,"Today we embark on a new era ... Chile has decided it is the moment to begin deep transformation".

A physician by training, Bachelet is a moderate socialist and has promised 50 reforms in her first 100 days, once she takes office in March, says a Reuters report.

Her flagship policy is a hike in corporate taxes to 25 % from 20 %, to pay for social reforms that include a gradual move to free higher education.

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