Ruling party candidate Dilma Rousseff won Brazil's presidential run-off election Sunday, and vowed to continue the policies of the popular outgoing President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.
Ms. Rousseff told supporters in a victory speech in the capital, Brasilia, that she will continue the current government's social welfare and economic policies.
Ms. Rousseff made the comment, shortly after she was declared the winner.
Brazil's High Electoral Tribunal said Ms. Rousseff of the Workers Party received 56 percent of the votes, while her opponent Jose Serra of the Brazilian Social Democratic Party, had 44 percent.
Ms. Rousseff will be sworn in as president on January 1, 2011 as the country's first female president. She replaces her political mentor, President Lula. The widely popular president is required to step down after serving two consecutive four-year terms in office.
Experts say the next president will face many challenges, including how to address high government spending and a recent drop in Brazilian exports.
Voters were also electing governors in several states Sunday.
Some information for this report provided by Reuters, AFP and AP.