Amidst economic slowdown and voter apathy, the government of President Ricardo Lagos received about 47 percent of votes against 44 percent for the right-wing opposition during parliamentary elections in Chile on Sunday, December 16th, 2001. The elections were seen as the first major test for Mr Lagos's 19-month-old government, which is battling an ailing economy and 9.7% unemployment.

News Stories:

"Nueva mayoría en el oficialismo favorece la agenda regulatoria"
El Diario, (Chile) December 18, 2001

Parlamentarias 2001, (Seccion especial)
El Mercurio, (Chile), December 18, 2001

"Bleak Future for Chile Coalition After Narrow Win",
Reuters, December 17, 2001

"Chile elections leave Congress split",
BBC News, December 17, 2001

"Chile's Center-Left Keeps Control"
Associated Press, December 17, 2001