Chile: President hopeful backs out of race

SANTIAGO, Chile, May 25 (UPI) -- Chilean former Foreign Minister Soledad Alvear has dropped out of the presidential race in support of a fellow female hopeful.

Alvear said she was ending her presidential bid to make way for Michelle Bachelet, whom she said she would back ahead of the December vote, La Tercera reported.

Opinion polls showed Bachelet -- a former defense and health minister -- was well ahead of Alvear.

Polls also indicate Bachelet should defeat all other contenders. Chile has never had a female president.