Costa Rica's new pro-life president

Costa Rica's first woman president is a social conservative who is ideologically against...

Costa Rica's first woman president is a social conservative who is ideologically against legalising abortion and gay marriage.

Laura Chinchilla, a member of the ruling National Liberation Party, focused her election campaign on promises to continue free market policies in the most stable Central American nation.

She amassed a 47% share of the total vote from Sunday's election - well past the 40% threshold for a run-off vote - and secured a 22 point lead over the nearest candidate.

Economic policies by current president Oscar Arias, the Nobel Peace Prize laureate, have led to a trade pact between Coast Rica and the US, as well as established trading links with China.

Ms Chinchilla, 50, will take office in May, when she will become the fifth Latin American woman to become president. She said: "Today we are making history. The Costa Rican people have given me their confidence, and I will not betray it."

The Citizens Action Party candidate, Otton Solis, gained 25% of the vote but quickly conceded defeat with Libertarian rival Otto Guevara. Despite the presidential victory, it was not clear whether the National Liberation Party would secure a Congress majority.

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