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Ex-Chilean president wins party's nod

  • Story Highlights
  • Former Chilean President Eduardo Frei accepts coalition party's nomination
  • Frei will be coalition party Concertacion's candidate in December elections
  • Win sets stage for showdown with Chilean billionaire Sebastian Pinera
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SANTIAGO, Chile (CNN) -- Former Chilean President Eduardo Frei has captured his coalition party's nomination ahead of Chile's presidential elections in December, according to the party's polling body.

Former Chilean President Eduardo Frei has captured his party's presidential nomination.

Former Chilean President Eduardo Frei has captured his party's presidential nomination.

Amid a cheering crowd waving flags Sunday, Frei accepted the nomination of the coalition party known as Concertacion, setting the stage for a showdown with Chilean billionaire Sebastian Pinera, whose center-right platform has focused on job creation and economic reform.

The former president first took office in 1994 and is widely heralded as an influential figure within the Chilean government.

Chile experienced a military dictatorship under Gen. Augusto Pinochet, whose 17-year reign left more than 3,000 people dead or missing.

General elections in Chile are scheduled for December 11.

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