Costa Rica's Social Christian Unity Party will remain in power, following the victory of Abel Pacheco in Sunday's runoff presidential election. 

Mr. Pacheco, a psychiatrist and television personality from the ruling party, claimed victory with 58 percent of the vote Sunday. Rolando Araya of the opposition National Liberation Party finished second with a little more than 40 percent. 

The runoff election was marked by low turnout, with only about three in every four voters taking part. 

Political analysts say Mr. Pacheco's charismatic yet simple style appealed to voters. The 68-year-old president-elect has promised to continue the free market reforms of President Miguel Angel Rodriguez while protecting social programs for the poor. 

The new president will take office on May 8. 

The run-off election was called after no candidate won 40 percent of the vote in the first round of balloting in February. 

Some information for this report provided by AP and AFP.

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