SANTIAGO: Chilean President Sebastian Pinera shuffled his cabinet on Monday to allow ministers seeking the presidency in next year’s election to leave as his conservative coalition seeks to drum up support.

Right-wing candidates aligned with Pinera suffered defeats in local elections last month, an outcome that could foreshadow the electorate’s mood in November 2013 presidential elections that could see left-leaning ex-president Michelle Bachelet seek to return to office.

Defense Minister Andres Allamand and Public Works Minister Laurence Golborne left the government to put their energy into their respective presidential bids.

Golborne and Allamand “are taking up what I see as the noblest task, mission and responsibility that a citizen of our country can undertake: running for president. That requires bravery and courage,” Pinera said at a ceremony.

Pinera’s fourth cabinet change also saw Interior Minister Rodrigo Hinz-peter named defense minister, while government secretary general Andres Chadwick—Pinera’s cousin—was tapped to replace Hinzpeter.