Mexico's former ruling party has conceded defeat in the election of a new governor in the southern state of Chiapas. Pablo Salazar said that his victory and the ousting of Institutional Revolutionary Party on July 2, after 71 years in power, was a "sign" to the Zapatista rebels to resume peace talks.
According to the state Electoral Board, Mr Salazar had 52.71% of the vote with 96.5% of Sunday's ballot counted, compared to 46.89% for Senator Sami David of the PRI. A half of the 2m Chiapas voters cast ballots. The victory by Mr Salazar, who heads a broad eight-party coalition spanning the political spectrum, is widely expected to breathe new life into stalled peace talks between the government and the Zapatistas.
The armed group brought the region to international attention six years ago when they emerged from the jungle of the southern state to lead a fight for indigenous rights. Chiapas, Mexico's most impoverished state, is home to deeply rooted Mayan culture and traditions.
