NationStates Jolt Archive

Michelle Bachelet has won the Chilean presidential election today, making her the first woman to be elected as the leader of a South American nation...um...actually the third, my bad...Chamorro and Moscoso beat her to it. Well, one out of three ain't bad! Still, title should instead read, "first female president elected in Chile, one of only three female leaders elected in south america":D

News in Spanish (http://diario.elmercurio.com/2006/01/15/_portada/_portada/noticias/E97601D2-2082-4C5C-8D57-60CF5768FDB6.htm?id={E97601D2-2082-4C5C-8D57-60CF5768FDB6})

News in English (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/01/15/AR2006011500866.html)

So, what do you think?

She made it, did she?

Well, she's also on the Left of the spectrum, but not as extreme as Chavez and Morales, and probably not even as extreme as Silva.

Nonetheless, South America seems to suffer from its income disparity, and people reckon the Left can cure it.

Looks like McDonald's quarterly profits will remain positive.

She made it, did she?

Well, she's also on the Left of the spectrum, but not as extreme as Chavez and Morales, and probably not even as extreme as Silva.

Nonetheless, South America seems to suffer from its income disparity, and people reckon the Left can cure it.
I doubt she'll be anymore left than Lagos was. He was pretty moderate...but I'll take slightly left over rabidly right-wing any day! My family was watching the elections all day...I'm exhausted!

*claps*

Good news :)

So now, when is the USA getting its first female president? :p

So now, when is the USA getting its first female president? :p
WHAT? That's just plain silly. Everyone knows only a male WASP can righteously rule a nation.

WHAT? That's just plain silly. Everyone knows only a male WASP can righteously rule a nation.
Yep, silly me for thinking otherwise :p

Oh, ya, a female president. Thats just what we need. Instead of the Football, she'll have the Gucci Bag and she'll grab it as soon as she sees someone else at an economic summit wearing her shoes.

Oh, ya, a female president. Thats just what we need. Instead of the Football, she'll have the Gucci Bag and she'll grab it as soon as she sees someone else at an economic summit wearing her shoes.
Yeah, because that's how all women think :rolleyes:

Yeah, because that's how all women think :rolleyes:

Hehehe You used "women" and "think" in the same sentence.

Yeah, because that's how all women think :rolleyes:
Especially Miss Fashion-Conscious...

http://www.merkur-online.de/storage/pic/nachrichten/politik/125213_sauer.jpg

Hehehe You used "women" and "think" in the same sentence.
My only hope is that you're trolling and/or joking.

Half joking. How many male presidents have you heard of almost bankrupting their nation to buy shoes?

Half joking. How many male presidents have you heard of almost bankrupting their nation to buy shoes?
How many female presidents have you heard of almost bankrupting their nation to build golden, rotating statues...and who outlaw makeup because she's got trouble keeping males and females apart?

How many female presidents have you heard of almost bankrupting their nation to build golden, rotating statues...and who outlaw makeup because she's got trouble keeping males and females apart?
Three, wait four.

None, but I can't guarantee Hillary won't get in.

None, but I can't guarantee Hillary won't get in.
What do you think of Angela Merkel?

She's female, according to her husband (he's our "First Man") - but so far she's achieved plenty of great things, among which the political consensus to rule a coalition between left and right, an end to the deadlock in EU Budget Talks, and even a revival in US-German relations, at the same time continuing to speak her mind on Gitmo.

Pretty good for only a few months in office.

So, what do you think?

Meh.

The earliest women premiers were from the subcontinent...Indira Gandhi - late 60s, Benazir Bhutto - Pak - late 80s, Sheikh Hasina - Bangladesh - early 80s, Srimao Bhandaranayake - Sri Lanka - some 80s....and women's rights and freedom is deplorable and disgusting in the subcontinent.

If this S.American thing actually reflects a change in ground realities and perception of women and women's rights etc, then YAY !!

It was a joke. Relax. There are plenty of women who are qualified for leadership. Unfortunatly, they have the same problem that the their male counterparts: They don't seem to be the ones in charge.

I don't really care whether the new Chilean president is male of female; what interests me is that the Socialist party won. As mentioned before, South America seems to be turning strongly in a leftist direction, as opposed to the generally conservative trends of the US and several European countries.

The Socialist Party won (the party of former President/martyr Salvador Allende), but it is part of the leftist coalition which has governed Chile for the last decade and a half, so the Socialists are retaining power in Chile, not gaining power. The current President, Ricardo Lagos is also a Socialist and a member of Allende’s party.

Michelle Bachelet has a very distinguished record of public service, and unlike Chavez or the new Bolivian President, is not a revolutionary candidate but an institutional candidate. She is not someone who has spent her career in government creating and exploiting divisions, she has spent her career healing them.

I believe that the election in Chile will make South America far more stable as it will provide an alternative to the Bolivian Revolutionaries and their destructive populist politics.

Here is a link to an MSNBC article with details on Michelle Bachelet.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10819903/

Michelle Bachelet has won the Chilean presidential election today, making her the first woman to be elected as the leader of a South American nation...um...actually the third, my bad...Chamorro and Moscoso beat her to it. Well, one out of three ain't bad! Still, title should instead read, "first female president elected in Chile, one of only three female leaders elected in south america":D

News in Spanish (http://diario.elmercurio.com/2006/01/15/_portada/_portada/noticias/E97601D2-2082-4C5C-8D57-60CF5768FDB6.htm?id={E97601D2-2082-4C5C-8D57-60CF5768FDB6})

News in English (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/01/15/AR2006011500866.html)

So, what do you think?

I think this is great!

Chilean society, due to its conservatism, has been slow to recognise women's rights ever since the more progressive elements of society were forced intro exile.

And even more important than her gender, of course, is her pragmatic leftist policy.

Yes!:)

hoorah for powerful left leaning women leaders! :D

hoorah for powerful left leaning women leaders! :D

Hoorah for powerful left leaning leaders in general! If she can get herself elected in a staunchly traditional country then I doubt there's much she can't do.:)

So, America. Crap your pants yet? :p

Congratulations to Señora Bachelet.

So, what do you think?

I'm pleased, first and foremost, that she's left-leaning, even if she's only mildly so. It's better than the alternative, at least.

That's she's a woman is somewhat secondary, but still definitely a good thing.

I don't really care whether the new Chilean president is male of female; what interests me is that the Socialist party won. As mentioned before, South America seems to be turning strongly in a leftist direction, as opposed to the generally conservative trends of the US and several European countries.
Most of the world is turning in a leftist direction, including western Europe (excluding a few countries). I believe even the US is turning in a leftist direction, except that the conservatives there are stealing the power from the people.

I feel very happy for Chile, two or three years ago divorce was still illegal and now they elected a woman for president. Wow :)

I'm also pleased that the responsible left of Bachelet (in contrast with the irresponsible left of Morales and Chavez) has had another victory. Chile will hopingly be on the path of democracy and development.

Most of the world is turning in a leftist direction, including western Europe (excluding a few countries). I believe even the US is turning in a leftist direction, except that the conservatives there are stealing the power from the people.

Yes conservatives are stealing elections eh? Right.... The US is going right not left. Wait until the next elections and you will see.


Another side note to this whole thread. The first women was elected to an African nation also.

http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/africa/01/16/liberia/index.html

Hehehe You used "women" and "think" in the same sentence.
Hmm, so I wonder when I'll be using "Penetrobe" and "think" in the same sentence...:rolleyes:

Especially Miss Fashion-Conscious...

http://www.merkur-online.de/storage/pic/nachrichten/politik/125213_sauer.jpg
Heh huge overhaul...she used to look scary. I say, if you're a leader of a nation, male or female, you should make an attempt to look you're best. She is looking so much better now. :)

Yes conservatives are stealing elections eh? Right.... The US is going right not left. Wait until the next elections and you will see.


Another side note to this whole thread. The first women was elected to an African nation also.

http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/africa/01/16/liberia/index.html
There is no left in US elections.

Michelle Bachelet has won the Chilean presidential election today, making her the first woman to be elected as the leader of a South American nation...um...actually the third, my bad...Chamorro and Moscoso beat her to it. Well, one out of three ain't bad! Still, title should instead read, "first female president elected in Chile, one of only three female leaders elected in south america":D

News in Spanish (http://diario.elmercurio.com/2006/01/15/_portada/_portada/noticias/E97601D2-2082-4C5C-8D57-60CF5768FDB6.htm?id={E97601D2-2082-4C5C-8D57-60CF5768FDB6})

News in English (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/01/15/AR2006011500866.html)

So, what do you think?

Yes, that is good news for sure! May death come quickly to her enemies!

I'm also pleased that the responsible left of Bachelet (in contrast with the irresponsible left of Morales and Chavez) has had another victory. Chile will hopingly be on the path of democracy and development.

Morales and Chavez are both populist leaders, and their actions reflect the will of the majority. Saying that, I would also like to remind everyone that they have not abrogated anyone's civil liberties either.

Chile has been democratic and developing since 1970, except for Pinochet's rule from 1973 to 1990, when it was serving USian interests instead.

All the more impressive considering her father, a former General in Allendes' Army was tortured and killed in prison, as well as her and her mother both imprisoned and tortured themselves, coming back to rule the country that did that to her. Man that woman has Cojones! My hat is off to her.

Half joking. How many male presidents have you heard of almost bankrupting their nation to buy shoes?
Charles Haughey, former Taoiseach of Ireland, used government funds to pay for über-expensive French shirts for himself.

Charles Haughey, former Taoiseach of Ireland, used government funds to pay for über-expensive French shirts for himself.

Exactly, shirts, not shoes.

Oh, ya, a female president. Thats just what we need. Instead of the Football, she'll have the Gucci Bag and she'll grab it as soon as she sees someone else at an economic summit wearing her shoes.
Thank you for that piercingly sexist comment.

Thank you for that piercingly sexist comment.
What would the world be without idiots after all? :p

I don't really care whether the new Chilean president is male of female; what interests me is that the Socialist party won. As mentioned before, South America seems to be turning strongly in a leftist direction, as opposed to the generally conservative trends of the US and several European countries.
Lagos was 'socialist' too. But hardly socialist in truth. The new president seems poised to maintain the status quo of moderate leftism.

So, every continent in the world has had women as supreme leaders now, even Africa. But let's focus on America: South America, checked; Central America, checked; the Caribbean, checked; North America, oops!

Ok, why is the suppossedly more socially progressive region of the continent lagging behind in this?

BTW. Bachelet is the first woman in South America elected president. There have been other women presidents, but they were appointed. Or, in the case of Eva Perón, just took over officially.