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Undoubtedly, Pinochet's strong hand has been strengthened by the plebiscite, much to the disappointment of the left and centrist opposition, which has been pressing for elections. There has been speculation that Pinochet irritated even his fellow junta members by courting personal political popularity (he frequently doffed his military uniform for a business suit while campaigning for the referendum). His triumph last week had its ugly aspects: after the election, bands of rightist youths chanted insults outside the homes of Christian Democratic Party Leaders Frei and Andres Zaldivar, and Zaldivar's home was stoned. More chilling perhaps were Pinochet's attacks on civilian politicians and his disdain for democratic reforms. Borrowing a military metaphor, he told a cheering Santiago crowd: "Now we have placed the artillery. This battle, which had been a withdrawal, has been transformed into a battle of annihilation." In his gloating victory statement, he addressed his civilian critics: "To them I say, politicians, it's all over for you. Today Chile is different."