QCOSTARICA POLITICS – After failed bid to become president in last year’s election, Johnny Araya, wants his old job back as mayor of San Jose.
Blacklisted the Partido Liberacion Nacional (PLN) for having dropped out of the 2014 presidential race, Johnny, on his Facebook page, says he has aligned himself with a new party, the Partido Alianza por San Jose, and will run for mayor in the February 2016 municipal elections.
“My decision is made. I will be a mayoral candidate for the Partido Alianza por San Jose. Along with many who want me to recover the direction of the capital city,” Johnny said on Facebook.
The announcement puts an end for once and for all his association with the PLN, given that the PLN bylaws state that any “militant” who associates himself with any other group, is automatically expelled.
The PLN suspended Johnny for four years from any political activism in the party, his sanction abandoning the 2014 presidential elections after failing to win the first round vote, citing the lack of money to carry to a second round and lack of support in the polls. His withdrawl – the country’s Constitution does not allow for a presidential candidate to resign – was the first in the country’s political history and the failure of the PLN to form a third consecutive government.
However, Johnny is keeping the door open, saying his running under the Partido Alianza por San Jose does not mean a farewell to the Liberacion, saying he did all he could to stay.
In comments on the social media, Johnny says he “is known” and has the support of the people who want to see him back in charge in San Jose.
However, critics don’t quite agree, feeling the politician has burned himself with the people.
Johnny Araya was mayor of San Jose for more than two decades, stepping down in 2013 to run for President.
