Paraguay have ended six decades of single-party rule, electing on Sunday former Roman Catholic bishop Fernando Lugo president.

Lugo, backed by the Patriotic Alliance for Change, claimed 41 percent of the vote to about 31 percent for his chief opponent, Blanca Ovelar of the ruling Colorado Party, according to the preliminary results reported by the government's election department, CNN informed.

Lugo, 56, dubbed "the bishop of the poor," had his triumph spurred by widespread discontent with the ruling party's long record of corruption, and economic stagnation.

Lugo's coalition earlier had feared fraud would mar Sunday's vote, but as 70 observers from the Organization of American States monitored ballot stations, electoral court chief Rafael Dendia said voting went smoothly.

We need your support so Novinite.com can keep delivering news and information about Bulgaria! Thank you!