All eyes on Chile´s Pinera as congress approves a fresh pensions drawdown

FILE PHOTO: Chile's President Sebastian Pinera delivers a speech in Santiago, Chile January 29, 2020. REUTERS/Edgard Garrido/File Photo

SANTIAGO (Reuters) - Chile´s Congress on Friday approved by a large majority a move to allow citizens to withdraw a third tranche of their privately held pensions to assuage economic hardship wrought by the coronavirus pandemic.

Lawmakers in the country´s lower house approved the measure with 119 to 17, with 3 abstentions, prompting cheering and applause. Senators greenlighted the move earlier this week.