Taking nearly 60% of the vote Alejandro Giammattei, of the conservative opposition Vamos, has soundly defeated former First Lady (2008-2012) Sandra Torres of the centre-left opposition Unidad Nacional de la Esperanza (UNE) in the 11 August presidential run-off. Yet with abstention also at nearly 60% - the highest in two decades - the election exposed widespread disillusionment with a political establishment badly discredited by corruption. Giammattei’s insistence that he will not renew the mandate of the United Nations-backed International Commission against Impunity in Guatemala (Cicig) (which expires next month after President Jimmy Morales refused to renew it following its calls for him to be investigated over illegal campaign finance) has cast further doubt on the future of transparency efforts.End of preview - This article contains approximately 1270 words.
Subscribers: Log in now to read the full article
Not a Subscriber?
Choose from one of the following options