 In 1969, he was elected deputy for Concepción, being reelected in 1973, with one of the highest majorities at the national level.After the return of the democracy, Frei was elected senator in 1989 and served as chairman of the Armed Forces Committee where he developed strong links with the military.After Pinochet's arrest, Frei visited the general in London and his independent presidential campaign to succeed his cousin Eduardo Frei Ruiz-Tagle was seen as a maneuver by the general to prevent Ricardo Lagos from winning the election.