Costa Ricans on Sunday elected a former World Bank official accused of sexual harassment as the country’s next president, after the country’s election campaign was marked by low turnout.

After more than 95 percent of the votes were counted, economist Rodrigo Chaves had 53 percent, while former President José María Figueres had 53 percent, according to the electoral court. Figueres) with 47% of the vote. Figueres accepted the defeat on Sunday night.

Having spent most of his career abroad, Chaves has positioned himself as a candidate for change. He will take office in May and will need to work with others to advance his agenda.

The 60-year-old former finance minister has vowed to renegotiate a $1.8 billion in loans Funding from the International Monetary Fund last year to support the country’s economic recovery from the pandemic. He also said he hopes to strengthen trade links in the Asia-Pacific region and attract more Chinese tourists.

“I make a sacred commitment to build a democratic government based on respect for dialogue, the constitution, the law and Costa Rican values,” Chavez said in a speech in the capital, San Jose, after the results were announced.

This Negative tone of campaign The high rejection rates for both candidates meant turnout was around 57 percent, below the country’s norm and below the first round in February.

Costa Rica’s economy, known as stable ecotourism destination In a volatile region, growth is more than 7% in 2021 after the pandemic. But the new president will have to cut the deficit under an IMF deal while tackling high unemployment through a divided Congress.

Chavez’s Social Democratic Progressive party will hold 10 seats in the country’s 57-seat Congress and must rely on a coalition to pass legislation.

Chavez worked for the World Bank for decades, including as its president in Indonesia, before returning to Costa Rica as finance minister for the current government for seven months.

Several female World Bank colleagues have accused him of sexual harassment, including making unwelcome sexual comments, asking about personal relationships and attempting to kiss them, according to a World Bank Administrative Tribunal ruling.

The decision revealed that Chavez was demoted and his access to the premises was later restricted. The bank apologised to the women for mishandling the sexual harassment claims.

Chavez has denied wrongdoing.

His presidential campaign is also under investigation by electoral authorities over alleged illicit financing. Chavez said the trusts under investigation complied with the rules.