Conservative takes lead in presidential runoff vote

GUATEMALA CITY — Conservative Alejandro Giammattei appeared headed for a victory in Sunday’s presidential runoff election, garnering favor with voters for his gettough approach on crime and socially conservative values.

With about 95% of polling places reporting, the country’s Supreme Electoral Council said late Sunday that Giammattei had about 59% of votes, compared with about 41% for former first lady Sandra Torres.

Turnout appeared to have been extremely low — less than 40% — suggesting widespread disillusionment with the political status quo in a nation beset by corruption, poverty, unemployment and migration issues.

Running for the conservative Vamos party, Giammattei was making his fourth bid for the presidency. The 63yearold doctor, who uses crutches because he has multiple sclerosis, stridently opposes gay marriage and abortion and endorses family values and the death penalty.

Torres was married to — and later divorced — former President Alvaro Colom (20082012), but has a record of her own as a businesswoman, having run a textile and apparel company.

Her campaign platform focused on improving education, health care and the economy. She also proposed an anticorruption program, but her Unity for Hope party has come under fire because some of its mayoral candidates have been accused of receiving contributions from drug traffickers for their campaigns.

The new president is to take office Jan. 14 and will face the task of attempting to stem the large flow of migrants headed toward the United States. At least 1% of Guatemala’s population of some 16 million has left the country this year.