Conservative favored in Chile run-off

SANTIAGO: Conservative billionaire Sebastian Pinera led Chile's presidential vote and yesterday was seen as the favorite to win a run-off and lead a regime change in Latin America's model economy after 20 years of leftist rule.

Pinera, an airline magnate who ranks No. 701 on Forbes' global rich list, won 44 percent in Sunday's voting, shy of the more than 50 percent needed for an outright victory, according to near-complete official results.

It was the first time in decades a rightist has taken the most votes in a presidential race in Chile, a copper-mining powerhouse and a major exporter of fruit, wine and salmon.