Billionaire Sebastian Pinera wins Chile presidency

09:10, 18 January 2010

SANTIAGO. January 18. KAZINFORM Sebastian Pinera, presidential candidate for Chile's right-wing opposition, won 51.6 percent of Sunday's second-round presidential vote, with 99.2 percent of votes counted, Patricio Rosende, the nation's deputy interior minister announced on Sunday; Kazinform refers to China Daily.

The ruling coalition candidate, Eduardo Frei, ended the contest with 48.3 percent of the vote. The figures confirm that Pinera, a businessman, will lead Chile's next government, which takes office on March 11 and replace the incumbent administration led by Michelle Bachelet. The result matches all the pre-election forecasts by media and analysts for a narrow victory by the businessman.

It is the first defeat for the ruling center left wing coalition since it took power in 1990 and the first electoral victory for the right in 52 years.

Meanwhile, Frei conceded defeat at a press conference.

"The election is over and Chileans have shown civic maturity," Frei said. "The results clearly show the solidity of our democracy. It has been clean and transparent in line with our tradition. I want to congratulate Pinera, to whom most Chileans have given their trust for the next four years," he added; Kazinform cites China Daily.

See www.chinadaily.com.cn for full version

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