Zaldívar attends first meeting with Bachelet as president of the Senate

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SANTIAGO.- The newly appointed president of the Senate, Adolfo Zaldívar, received a red carpet welcome at la Moneda this morning where he arrived, along with the vice-president of the Upper House, Baldo Prokurica (RN), to attend his first meeting with President Michelle Bachelet.

The reception, which was unusual for an official of his rank, was due to the anticipated arrival of Italian President Giorgio Napolitano just hours later.

Nevertheless, the highly honorable welcome was not lost on Zalídvar, who stood up straight and smiled as he walked down the carpet, even venturing to make a joke as he asked where the meeting with the President would be held.

Zaldívar´s presence at La Moneda has generated apprehension due to his constant criticism of the current administration, which then provoked strong responses from members of the ruling party – especially from the cabinet leader, Edmundo Pérez Yoma, and Minister of the Presidency, José Antonio Viera-Gallo.