Chinchilla favourite to win Costa Rican presidency

The people of Costa Rica are going to the polls today to elect a new president. Laura Chinchilla is favourite to win the contest and become the Central American country’s first female leader. She was deputy to current president Oscar Arias but stepped down to run for his job.

Chinchilla, the candidate of the ruling centrist National Liberation Party, has sought to capitalise on her cabinet experience and her close ties with the popular outgoing president.

However, polls suggest some voters are drawn to her main rival Otto Guevara, who takes a harder line on crime. A late spurt by him may spark a tight run-off.

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