Balanced News Blog

Jorge Quiroga, who exit polls showed running second in Bolivia’s presidential race, conceded Sunday, clearing the way for Evo Morales to become the country’s first indigenous leader.

“I congratulate the candidates of MAS that have carried out a good campaign,” he said, referring to Morales’ Movement Toward Socialism party.

Media tabulations of official results showed Morales with close to 50 percent of the vote and Quiroga with between 31 percent and 34 percent.

Bolivia’s Socialist presidential candidate Evo Morales, a coca farmer, has said he will end a U.S.-backed anti-drug campaign aimed at eradicating the crop, will likely be declared president in January.

“If (the U.S.) wants relations, welcome,” Morales said after voting, holding a news conference where piles of coca leaves were spread atop a Bolivian flag. “But no to a relationship of submission.”

Raucous celebrations erupted among Morales’ supporters after nationally televised exit polls showed him with a decisive lead over former President Jorge Quiroga, who was backed by Bolivia’s business elite.

Source: MSNBC.