San José, March 6 (RHC) -– Costa Rican presidential candidate Johnny Araya, from the governing party, says he is abandoning his campaign for April's run-off election.

The surprise move opens the way for his only opponent, the left-leaning historian Luis Guillermo Solis, to be elected president on April 6th.

After weighing his chances, it was only sensible to withdraw, Araya said during a press conference. The official candidate's retreat from the presidential race came after a recent opinion poll said Araya, with only 21 percent of voters likely to back him, was trailing behind Solis, who has 64 percent.

"It is only prudent not to spend millions on publicity, meetings and other events. We will respect the constitutional provisions, but I will refrain from any electoral activity."

Despite Araya's withdrawal, Costa Rican law does not allow for candidates to drop out. So the vote must still be held on April 6th and Araya's name will appear on the ballot. But it is more than likely that Solis and his Citizen's Action Party will replace Costa Rica's first female president, Laura Chinchilla.