sithsaber
13th March 2012, 02:17
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-17335702
El Salvador election: Arena party on course for win
http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/59010000/jpg/_59010254_saalvador.jpg Election monitors said the polls had been calm
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El Salvador's conservative opposition is on course for a narrow victory in the general election, officials say.
With most votes counted, the Arena party had just under 40% to nearly 37% for the left-wing Farabundo Marti Liberation Front (FMLN).
FMLN leaders have not conceded, saying the result is "practically a tie".
The election was seen as key test for the FMLN and Mauricio Funes, the first left-wing president since the end of the civil war two decades ago.
While Mr Funes still has two years in office, analysts say an opposition win would hamper his ability to push through his social programmes.
Arena campaigned on a promise to increase security in El Salvador, which is plagued by gang violence.
The FMLN said it would concentrate on job creation measures.
Unemployment and underemployment remain high, although government figures suggest the rate has dropped from 40% to 36% under President Funes.
Mr Funes has scored well in recent opinion polls, but analysts say support for him does not necessarily translate into support for his party.
A total of nine parties were running but the FMLN and Arena are by far the biggest players in Salvadoran politics.
All 84 seats in the one-chamber legislature were up for election, as well as 262 mayoral posts throughout the country.
According to results so far, Arena would have 33 seats to 31 for the FMLN, with the rest split between smaller parties.
In the capital, San Salvador, Norman Quijano of Arena was re-elected mayor, preliminary results indicated.
Any thoughts?
El Salvador election: Arena party on course for win
http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/59010000/jpg/_59010254_saalvador.jpg Election monitors said the polls had been calm
Continue reading the main story (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-17335702#story_continues_1) Related Stories
Salvador police chief criticised (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-16711514)
El Salvador recalls 1981 massacre (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-16589757)
Nine El Salvador ex-soldiers held (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-14452127)
El Salvador's conservative opposition is on course for a narrow victory in the general election, officials say.
With most votes counted, the Arena party had just under 40% to nearly 37% for the left-wing Farabundo Marti Liberation Front (FMLN).
FMLN leaders have not conceded, saying the result is "practically a tie".
The election was seen as key test for the FMLN and Mauricio Funes, the first left-wing president since the end of the civil war two decades ago.
While Mr Funes still has two years in office, analysts say an opposition win would hamper his ability to push through his social programmes.
Arena campaigned on a promise to increase security in El Salvador, which is plagued by gang violence.
The FMLN said it would concentrate on job creation measures.
Unemployment and underemployment remain high, although government figures suggest the rate has dropped from 40% to 36% under President Funes.
Mr Funes has scored well in recent opinion polls, but analysts say support for him does not necessarily translate into support for his party.
A total of nine parties were running but the FMLN and Arena are by far the biggest players in Salvadoran politics.
All 84 seats in the one-chamber legislature were up for election, as well as 262 mayoral posts throughout the country.
According to results so far, Arena would have 33 seats to 31 for the FMLN, with the rest split between smaller parties.
In the capital, San Salvador, Norman Quijano of Arena was re-elected mayor, preliminary results indicated.
Any thoughts?