Michelle Bachelet was sworn in on Saturday as Chile's first woman president, as socially conservative Chile moves boldly out of the shadow of General Augusto Pinochet's dictatorship.
Bachelet, a doctor, single mother and former defense minister was sworn in by Senate speaker Eduardo Frei Ruiz-Tagle, and takes over from fellow socialist Ricardo Lagos.
Her government extends the rule of the center-left coalition that has governed the South American country since the end of Pinochet's military regime in 1990.
PHOTO: AFP
"It will be the government of the citizens," Bachelet, speaking from a balcony of the Palacio de la Moneda (Presidential Palace), told a crowd of thousands gathered in the square below.
"We do not want to repeat the same errors of the past," she said, referring to the 17-year dictatorship of Pinochet, who led a 1973 military coup that partially destroyed the palace with aerial bombing.
Then-president Salvador Allende died in the colonial palace in the assault.
"I am the depository of all the history that had dark and bitter moments but has known how to recover," she said, reprising Allende's final words when he announced, 33 years ago, "this dark and bitter moment" for Chile -- Pinochet's coup.
Bachelet was sworn into office earlier Saturday at the parliamentary building in the seaside city of Valparaiso.
Representatives from 120 countries, including about 30 heads of state, attended the inauguration, including Spain's Crown Prince Felipe, South African President Thabo Mbeki and a bevy of Latin American leaders.
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said that Bachelet's inauguration is indicative of "the new period that is rising on the horizon of Latin America," while Bolivian President Evo Morales described her as "a woman that is the symbol of unity and hope."
Thousands who had gathered outside Congress ahead of the event gave Lagos a rousing farewell as he entered the building as president for the last time, an indication of his continued popularity. They gave an equally rousing welcome to Bachelet as she arrived.
After the inauguration and greeting the foreign dignitaries Bachelet drove through the streets of Valparaiso standing in an open car, waving at crowds gathered on the sidewalks.
"The goal is to put in place a government at your service," Bachelet said.
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