Chinchilla elected Costa Rica's first woman president

San Jose, Feb 8 (EFE).- Laura Chinchilla, who was elected Costa Rica's first woman president over the weekend, vowed in her victory speech to open a dialogue with all sectors of society and improve the quality of health care, education and security.

"We do not get a blank check from the people to do anything, on the contrary, they have placed very solemn obligations on our shoulders, (such as) serious and permanent dialogue with all the parties and social sectors," the 50-year-old Chinchilla said.

Chinchilla, of the ruling National Liberation Party, or PLN, garnered 46.8 percent of the vote, with 71.1 percent of the ballots counted, the Supreme Electoral Tribunal, or TSE, said.

Otton Solis, of the center-left Citizen Action Party, got 25 percent of the vote and Otto Guevara, of the rightist Libertarian Movement, garnered 21 percent, the TSE said.

Solis and Guevara conceded as the early returns from Sunday's election came in.

"We are making history," Chinchilla said, adding that she wanted a national dialogue to "make decisions, not to avoid them or postpone them."

"My doors will be open to all Costa Ricans of good faith. I will listen to the voice of those who were not with us in this election and we humbly ask for their help. No one has a monopoly on the truth, good sense or moral values," Chinchilla said.

Chinchilla will succeed President Oscar Arias, who she served as vice president and security and justice minister.