SANTIAGO, Chile (AP) — Billionaire businessman Sebastian Pinera is heavily favored to top Sunday’s election backed by Chileans who hope the former president can resuscitate a flagging economy, but polls suggest he won’t get enough votes to avoid a runoff.
The world’s top copper producing country has been hurt by lower international prices and demand for the metal that is the backbone of its economy.
Pinera is proposing to cut taxes on businesses to promote growth and promises to launch a $14 billion, four-year spending plan that includes fresh investments in infrastructure.
Pinera, 67, struggled with large protests over inequality and education during his 2010-2014 presidency and he ended his term with low popularity ratings. But the economic slump and overall disenchantment with the center-left government has given him a boost in this election.