Chilean president criticises independent presidential candidate

Chilean President Sebastian Pinera on Wednesday joined critics of independent presidential candidate Franco Parisi, whose rising popularity is posing a threat to the ruling coalition's candidate, Evelyn Matthei. Pinera echoed Matthei, who has accused Parisi of not paying teachers and employees at two private schools owned by him and his brother. In a newspaper interview, the president said Matthei had brought to light a "serious problem" for Parisi. Pinera said he was convinced that there would be a second round run-off and that it would be held between two women, referring to Matthei and opposition candidate Michelle Bachelet, a runaway favorite. Parisi, an economist and university professor with liberal political views, has been gaining popularity and seems to be on his way to overtake Matthei from the Independent Democratic Union in the Nov. 17 elections.