Chile's Bachelet favored to win presidency

His regime privatized natural resources and many government functions and ended the central control and funding of public schools.

Bachelet, 62, is a former political prisoner, pediatrician, defense secretary and Socialist Party stalwart who is a centrist at heart.

She left office with sky-high approval ratings after her 2006-2010 presidency despite failing then to bring about major changes in society.

But this time, she's taken up the protesters' cause, vowing major changes in taxes and education to reduce the wealth gap.