Chile election: will it be Pinera or Guillier?
The first round of voting for Chile’s president did not deliver a clear winner and will go to a runoff in December between the top two candidates. Coming in third was a surprise performance by Beatriz Sanchez, a left-wing coalition candidate.
With only 36 percent of the votes, ex-president and billionaire businessman Sebastian Pinera has failed to reach the 50 percent required to become Chile‘s president.
Coming in second was Alejandro Guillier, a former journalist and senator who secured nearly 23 percent of the vote.
Pinera ran on a platform promising economic reforms, and he will run in the December runoff against Guillier, who promises to consolidate government reforms.
Candidate Beatriz Sanchez delivered a surprise performance, placing third in the first round of voting with just over 20 percent.
Sanchez secured the vote of many Chileans who were seeking more change in government.
Chileans will be going back to the polls next month to elect a new president.
Al Jazeera’s Lucia Newman reports from Santiago.