Science Fair Project Encyclopedia President of Chile The
President of Chile is both the chief of state and the head of
government. The President is elected by popular vote for a six-
year term. Beginning in 2006 the President will serve for a
four-year term. From Manuel Blanco Encalada to Ricardo Lagos
When Chile consolidated its independence from Spain, the power
exerted by the Governor of Chile in the name of the King of
Spain was tranferred to the new President of the Republic. This
led to a political system which was authoritarian and gave
enormous powers to the president, who was chosen indirectly by a
period of five years with reelection. This system translated
into four "decennial governments": José Joaquín Prieto , Manuel
Bulnes , Manuel Montt and José Joaquín Pérez . In 1871, a
constitutional reform eliminated reelection and established a
mandate of five years. Presidents Federico Errázuriz, Aníbal
Pinto , Domingo Santa María and José Manuel Balmaceda governed
during this period. Political order was s