Laura Fernandez wins Costa Rica presidency decisively

Laura Fernandez won Costa Rica's presidential election with nearly half the vote as 88.43% of ballots were counted; her Sovereign People's Party is projected to hold a majority in the 57-seat Congress.

Laura Fernandez, described in reports as a right-wing populist, won Costa Rica's presidential election on Sunday. She had nearly half of the vote with 88.43% of ballots counted, surpassing the 40% threshold needed to avoid a runoff. Fernandez is a protégé and former chief of staff of outgoing President Rodrigo Chaves and has pledged to continue his security-focused policies and anti-establishment message. Her party is projected to gain a majority in the 57-seat Congress. Key details: - Fernandez had nearly half of the vote with 88.43% of ballots counted. - A candidate needed 40% to win outright and avoid an April 5 runoff. - The Sovereign People's Party is projected to win about 30 seats in the 57-seat Congress, up from eight. - Alvaro Ramos, a centrist economist and the closest contender, secured about one-third of the vote; Claudia Dobles was just under 5%. - Fernandez was a protégé and former chief of staff to President Rodrigo Chaves and announced she would include him in her government. - Polls and voters cited rising crime as a top concern; homicides rose during Chaves' term and his approval was reported at about 58% by the University of Costa Rica's CIEP. Summary: The result gives Fernandez and her Sovereign People's Party control of the presidency and a congressional majority, positioning them to lead the next government. Undetermined at this time.