SAN JOSE (Reuters) - A centre-left former diplomat who has emerged as the surprise leader of Costa Rica's presidential race vows if he wins a runoff vote to prepare the ground for eventual tax hikes seen as crucial to preserving the credit rating of Central America's No. 2 economy.
Luis Guillermo Solis, an academic who has never been elected to public office, held a narrow lead following Sunday's election, riding a wave of disgust over government corruption. He faces a second-round runoff vote in April against centrist ruling party candidate Johnny Araya.