Tuesday, March 17, 2009
FMLN Wins El Salvador Presidential Elections
From our friends at the SHARE foundation:
The FMLN won Sunday's Salvadoran presidential elections 51.3% to 48.7% for ARENA. As predicted by almost all public opinion polls Mauricio Funes was elected president in one of the most highly contested elections that the country has experienced. These results mark an important turning point in Salvadoran history, with the left gaining power for the first time ending twenty years of ARENA party rule.
Election Day went on smoothly despite widespread rumors that violence could break out given the polarization that had characterized the presidential campaign. However a festive ambience ensued as FMLN supporters came out to the streets to celebrate as exit polls and preliminary results by the Supreme Electoral Tribunal indicated that the FMLN was leading.
Rodrigo Avila, the ARENA candidate conceded defeat even though party members had been showing optimism on the television. President Saca congratulated Funes after his speech and Funes offered to work together with him to ensure a smooth transition.
"My government will be inspired by the spirit of national unity and this requires from this moment on to leave behind confrontation and revenge" said Funes, referring to the dirty campaign in which he was the victim of attacks and accusations that that he would bring socialism to the country and that Hugo Chavez would be in control. In his speech Funes made a commitment to respect the Constitution and the rule of law. "I want to be become the president of peace, unity and progress, I want to be the president of social justice and work for the true reconstruction of the country" he added.
Check US and international coverage of the Salvadoran election results:
The New York Times: Lesftist Party Wins Presidency in El Salvador
Reuters: El Salvador ex-rebels win power through ballot vote
BBC: Left-winger wins El Salvador poll
The Washington Post: Leftist declares victory in El Salvador election
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