Guatemala has voted: Surprises and messages
Guatemalans cause historic runoff: two leftist parties fight for the presidency
Elections were held in Guatemala on 25 June: The President of the Republic, the Congress, 340 mayors and municipal councillors as well as the members of the Central American Parliament (Parlacen). Since none of the presidential candidates achieved an absolute majority, the second round will take place on 20 August.
The second round of voting will take place on 20 August, but not in the constellation predicted by the polls. For the first time in Guatemala's democratic history, candidates from two parties belonging to the moderate left-wing spectrum, Sandra Torres (UNE) and Bernardo Arévalo (SEMILLA), are standing in the run-off. While a number of detailed results for the congressional and municipal elections are still awaited, one thing is clear: these elections have provided some surprises, contain a clear message to the political class as a whole and ensure two more exciting months before the 2nd round of elections.