Michelle Bachelet on Thursday reiterated her support for gay
marriage.
The 62-year-old Bachelet is seeking a second term in office after
returning to Chile following two years in New York, where she headed
the United Nations' women's agency.
“I have publicly stated that I am in favor of marriage
equality,” said
Bachelet after meeting with representatives of several LGBT
groups.
“A law is not enough. Essential yet insufficient,” she added,
a reference to a proposed gay-inclusive anti-discrimination bill.
Bachelet's four-year term as president ended in 2010 with the
election of conservative President Sebastian Pinera. She remains a
popular figure. In contrast, only 26 percent of citizens approve of
Pinera's government, according to a recent poll.
In 2011, Pinera introduced a bill to legalize civil unions for gay
couples in fulfillment of a campaign promise. But lawmakers have
mostly ignored the proposal and activists have criticized it.
According
to a 2012 poll, 55 percent of Chileans support marriage equality.
(Related: Uruguay
celebrates first public gay marriage.)