Leftist Costa Rica outsider leads election, run-off expected

Johnny Araya, presidential candidate of the ruling National Liberation Party attends a meeting with supporters in San Jose February 2, 2014. REUTERS/Juan Carlos Ulate

SAN JOSE (Reuters) - A left-leaning former diplomat edged ahead in Costa Rica's presidential election on Sunday, riding a wave of disgust at government corruption to get within reach of wresting power from the centrist government in an April run-off.

Luis Guillermo Solis, an academic who has never been elected to office, had a slim lead over ruling party candidate Johnny Araya despite trailing in pre-election polls and early vote returns.