Background on the Candidate and Context of the Election
Costa Ricans will head to the polls on Sunday with surveys indicating a right-wing populist, Laura Fernández, as the frontrunner. This election takes place amidst a surge in drug trafficking and violence that has tarnished the country’s image as a peaceful tourist haven.
Laura Fernández, a 39-year-old political scientist and former presidential cabinet chief, holds a significant lead. This reflects the electorate’s desire to extend the tenure of the right-wing in Costa Rica.
Fernández’s campaign has capitalized on the growing appeal of strong leaders in Latin America, similar to El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele, who advocates for stringent security policies at the expense of civil liberties.
Fernández’s Campaign Promises
Fernández has pledged to continue the policies of the current president and his mentor, Rodrigo Chaves. Chaves, a former World Bank economist, is known for his impulsive nature and remains popular despite facing multiple corruption investigations.
Election Dynamics and Potential Second Round
Fernández has urged voters to grant her party 40 out of 57 seats in the Legislative Assembly, a majority that would enable her to reform the judicial power and the Constitution, including consecutive or indefinite re-election.
Should Fernández fail to secure enough support to win outright, she may face off against Álvaro Ramos, an economist from the National Liberation Party, and Claudia Dobles, an architect and former First Lady who has returned to revitalize the Citizen Action Party.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who is Laura Fernández? Laura Fernández is a 39-year-old political scientist and former presidential cabinet chief who is the frontrunner in Costa Rica’s presidential election.
- What are Fernández’s campaign promises? Fernández has pledged to continue the policies of the current president and his mentor, Rodrigo Chaves, focusing on maintaining right-wing policies in Costa Rica.
- What are the election dynamics? Fernández aims for a supermajority in the Legislative Assembly to reform the judicial power and Constitution, potentially including consecutive or indefinite re-election. If she doesn’t win outright, she may face a second round against Álvaro Ramos and Claudia Dobles.
