[NEWS] Costa Rica 2018 Electoral Race - A Breakdown

LA NACIÓN ELECTIONS RACE COVERAGE

EMILY YUEN

3 JANUARY 2018

SAN JOSÉ - The 2018 Costa Rican general elections is proving to be a hotly-contested race, with four main parties taking the forefront. The PLN, PUSC, PAC, and FA are all gunning for the lead in both the Legislative Assembly and the Presidency, and as the race winds down into its final weeks, it's time for us to take a closer look at both the parties and the candidates.

Partido Liberación Nacional (National Liberation Party)

• Overview: A roughly centrist party, one which has controlled the Presidency for all but four elections, and has had a hold on the Legislative Assembly since inception. Lost the 2014 elections to the PAC primarily due to corruption and lack of faith in the political system.
• Nominee: Ronaldo Fidanza Morales Torres, former mayor of Alajuela and prominent right-leaning businessowner. Compared by some with President Donald Trump in persuasion and in views, Morales is popular among the working class and unemployed. His anti-immigration and isolationist stance - with the exceptions of ties with Panama and non-Central American countries - has gained him a surprising amount of support.

Partido Acción Ciudadana (Citizen's Action Party)

• Overview: A left-leaning progressive grassroots movement, one which currently controls the Presidency but not the Legislative Assembly. The tenuous coalition between the PAC and other associated smaller parties such as the FA self-destructed following a series of controversial treaties and deals signed by President Solís. Focuses on anti-corruption efforts, environmentalism, and improving the social security system.
• Nominee: Manuel Visayas Veracruz Rivera, former Legislator and Minister of Environment in the Solís administration. He intends to continue the environmental initiatives begun by the Solís government and at the same time revitalize the nation's energy infrastructure. However, his claims that, "the budget will balance itself" have drawn fire and mockery, as well as pointed questions regarding how he will find the money and at the same time cut spending.

Frente Amplio (Broad Front)

• Overview: A green, humanist, far-left party with a respectable 9 seats in the Legislative Assembly, although it has never won an election. Known by their critics as "los locos" or "the crazies", due to what can be deemed as strong passion for green politics, environmentalism, and pacifism. Nonetheless enjoys support from the young, and as a coalition partner can spell the difference between victory and defeat.
• Nominee: Alicia Joveña Lopez Vargas, current legislator for Guanacaste and prominent environmental activist. Previously jailed for allegedly vandalizing a hydroelectric plant, although charges were dropped due to a lack of evidence. Has been one of the most vocal opponents of the Nicaragua Canal on environmental grounds.

Partido de Unidad Socialcristiana (Social Christian Unity Party)

• Overview: A right-wing Christian Democratic party with conservative leanings. The historical opposition to the PLN, the PUSC has won 3 presidential elections. A major corruption scandal between the 2002 and 2006 elections during a PUSC presidency gutted the party, leaving it with only 5 out of 57 seats in the Legislative Assembly and 3.5% of the national vote. The 2014 elections were a slight improvement, up to 8 seats in the LA, although further recent allegations of corruption continue to taint the party.
• Nominee: Carlos Marco Rubio Chavez, a relatively young candidate who is a former legislator for Puntarenas. Considered by some to be the best shot that the PUSC has had at the presidency for the past three elections, although that isn't saying much. Supportive of building a stronger economy and partnering up with Guatemala and Honduras in leading Central America into a period of growth, although his support for large corporations has led to some controversy within a largely egalitarian country.

La Nación has conducted an opinion poll regarding the elections, surveying over twenty thousand people across the Republic. Here's what we've found out:

Voter Support (by percentage)

• Ronaldo Morales, PLN - 36%
• Manuel Veracruz, PAC - 14%
• Alicia Lopez, FA - 34%
• Carlos Rubio, PUSC - 13%
• Independents/Others - 3%

The 2018 Elections are to be held on Sunday, 11 February. Like always, Election Day is a civic holiday, and coting is compulsory. So get out there, no matter who you support, and make your voice heard!

Emily Yuen, La Nación