Costa Rica elects Laura Chinchilla as first woman president

With over 64.7 percent of votes, the Supreme Electoral Court confirmed that Laura Chinchilla became the president of Costa Rica, a nation with over 4.5 million inhabitants.

Chinchilla, the ruling party candidate won in a landslide after campaigning to continue free market policies in Central America's most stable nation.

The candidate of the governing National Liberation Party surpassed by seven points the minimum of 40 percent necessary to win in the first round.

After the announcement of poll results Sunday, her rivals- Otto Guevara of Libertarian Movement Party and Otto Solis of Citizens' Action Party- acknowledged their defeat and congratulated the president-elect, Prensa Latina reported.

Chinchilla was the first vice president of the Republic and Justice Minister, during the outgoing government of President Oscar Arias.

She resigned October 8, 2008, to boost her candidature to the country Presidency by the National Liberation Party.

Chinchilla will assume charge May 8.