Former President Sebastian Pinera’s resounding victory in a presidential runoff election swings Chile back to the right and highlights the increasing number of conservative leaders who have won power in Latin America. With nearly all ballots counted, the billionaire won 54.6 per cent of the votes on Monday to 45.4 per cent for former journalist and center-left Sen. Alejandro Guillier. Analysts had predicted a much closer contest, feeling Guillier had gained ground, although there had not been any opinion polls since the election’s first round in November. Pinera, who ran on a platform of boosting sluggish economic growth in the world’s top copper producer, thanked his opponents and called for unity.
“Today the voice of all Chileans has been heard,” Pinera told supporters Sunday night. “We welcome this triumph with humility and hope.”The results prompted celebrations by Pinera's supporters across the country of 17 million people. Some people waved flags and held banners, while others beeped car horns and yelled out the last name of the former airline magnate who also was president in 2010-2014.
