Chile's post-quake political unity showing cracks

By FEDERICO QUILODRAN (AP)

SANTIAGO, Chile — A political truce forged after Chile's devastating earthquake is already showing signs of cracking.

Chile's opposition is challenging President Sebastian Pinera's appointments and threatening to block a law raising funds for reconstruction, less than a month after the conservative leader took office and lawmakers from across the political spectrum united to confront the Feb. 27 disaster.

Pinera has proposed tax breaks for businesses and individuals donating to a new reconstruction fund, hoping to raise some $155 million toward the public sector costs that may reach as high as $10 billion.

But the political opposition, which holds a majority in Chile's Senate, dismissed the donation incentives as an example of "privatizing" the reconstruction.

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Hope they'll be close at hand every day of the Presidency so he doesn't get the idea he can revert Chile to a Pinochet/Friedman state.

Recommending.