President Michelle Bachelet has presented her fourth and final state-of-the-nation address. Despite her leftist Nueva Mayoría coalition government being damaged by corruption scandals and slowing domestic economic growth (due to the fall in international commodity prices), Bachelet pointed to some signs of progress – not least with regard to her flagship pledge to introduce universal free higher education. With her popularity gradually creeping back up (see sidebar), Bachelet also unveiled some proposals aimed at regaining the initiative ahead of November's general elections, for which former president Sebastián Piñera (2010-2014), of the centre-right Chile Vamos opposition coalition, remains the frontrunner. End of preview - This article contains approximately 1292 words.
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