TV Comic Jimmy Morales Wins Guatemala Presidential Runoff
Source: AP
TV comic and self-styled outsider Jimmy Morales swept to Guatemala's presidency on the back of popular anger against the political class after huge anti-corruption protests helped oust the last government.
Morales, who is to assume the presidency Jan. 14 and has never held political office, said he would get right to work with a transition team to study economic issues and work on development-oriented government policies.
"It is not I who declare myself the winner but rather the people who have done so," said Morales, 46, who starred in the comedy "Moralejas."
Morales claimed victory late Sunday and his runoff opponent, former first lady Sandra Torres, conceded defeat after official results showed him winning around 68 percent of the votes with 97 percent of polling stations tallied. Election officials were expected to give a final count Monday.
Read more: http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/tv-comic-jimmy-morales-wins-guatemala-presidential-runoff-34726790
villager
(26,001 posts)valerief
(53,235 posts)The empire does love its coups.
a la izquierda
(11,784 posts)His party is right wing.
villager
(26,001 posts)I guess I'll have to read up on the situation now....
Dale Scott
(13 posts)What a totally odd and unlikely scenario.
geek tragedy
(68,868 posts)a la izquierda
(11,784 posts)A right winger and the wife of a right winger.
MosheFeingold
(3,051 posts)People are tired of being used by the Uniparty. Doesn't matter what country.
Shame we don't have one of those on our side. Bill Gates or someone.
LiberalLovinLug
(14,153 posts)Yes, the population rejects a former first lady who is entrenched deeply in the status quo and is supported by the largest corporations and financial sector.....for an unlikely choice who tells it like it is and who is not afraid to speak truth to power.
But it couldn't happen anywhere else could it?
a la izquierda
(11,784 posts)He's a right winger and his closest ally was in charge when a major massacre of Mayas took place.
Truth to power.
Pay attention.
LiberalLovinLug
(14,153 posts)Ok, I spoke too soon. I ASSUMED that after the President and vice President were charged with massive corruption, and the first lady being a part of that corruption, that someone who pledges to fight that corruption would be more leftist.
On research, it sounds like he is more like a Donald Trump. Maybe worse.Sad for Guatemala. Was there even any more left choices?
a la izquierda
(11,784 posts)I'm a Latin Americanist (my specialty is Mexico, but I work on indigenous populations). My best friend works with Guatemalan NGOs.
shenmue
(38,501 posts)tabasco
(22,974 posts)Reter
(2,188 posts)n/t
bemildred
(90,061 posts)I still think we should get Colbert to run, he could beat Trump.