Chile\'s new leader to be sworn in
Published:Thursday | March 11, 2010 | 1:08 PM
Chilean tycoon Sebastian Pinera is due to be sworn in as president of the country, which was recently devastated by a massive earthquake and tsunami.
The inauguration ceremony in the port city of Valparaiso has been scaled down out of respect for victims of the quake.
Mr. Pinera not only faces the challenge of reconstruction, but takes over from a highly popular outgoing leader.
Michelle Bachelet leaves office with a record 84 per cent popularity rating despite criticism of the government\'s slow reaction to last month\'s disaster.
Ms Bachelet, Chile\'s first woman president, was constitutionally barred from seeking re-election.
Meanwhile, Chile\'s disaster management chief has resigned over the response to the earthquake.
Carmen Fernandez is the second Chilean official to leave her post in the aftermath of the February 27 quake and ensuing tsunami that killed close to 500 people.
On Friday, Ms Bachelet fired the head of the navy\'s oceanography service for failing to provide a clear warning of the tsunami.