Chilean presidential candidate Alejandro Guillier leaves a booth after casting his ballot in the presidential election in Antofagasta, Chile, December 17, 2017. Jose Francisco Zuniga/Courtesy of presidential command of Alejandro Guillier/Handout via Reuters

SANTIAGO (Reuters) - Center-left presidential candidate Alejandro Guillier conceded the Chilean presidency to billionaire conservative Sebastian Pinera on Sunday, as Chile followed other South American nations making a political turn to the right.

With 96.31 percent of votes counted in the world’s top copper producer, former president and market favorite Pinera had won 54.57 percent of ballots, according to electoral agency Servel. Guillier had 45.43 percent.

Guillier recognized a “harsh defeat” but urged Pinera to continue with outgoing center-left President Michelle Bachelet’s reforms.