Q COSTARICA — President-elect Laura Fernández’s decision to accept to return as Minister of the Presidency under the Rodrigo Chaves administration for the rest of the term has sparked criticism.
Among the harshest criticisms comes from presidential candidate and newly elected Legislator Claudua Dobles of the Citizen Agenda party, who stated that “she (Fernandez) is acting as a subordinate of Rodrigo Chaves.”
Dobles called a press conference on Thursday to discuss her future work as a legislator, and there, in response to a question from the press, she addressed the issue.
“That is the reality, those are the facts. She is accepting a position of subordination to the current President. That weakens her leadership; it is unnecessary, especially during a transition within the same political party. That justification is not valid,” Dobles said.
The newly elected legislator, who finished third in the presidential race, added that “an orderly and clear transition is important, but there is no need for her (Fernandez) to be appointed as a minister for that to happen.”
On Wednesday, just three days after the election, Chaves explained that naming Fernandez to the position she left to run for president was meant to guarantee a smooth political transition and, most importantly, to make the most of every moment left in this administration.
This marks the first time a president-elect has been appointed by the outgoing president to serve as a minister in the final months of the administration.
“As Minister of the Presidency, Laura will coordinate the cabinet and review the programs currently underway with me. She has already served as minister and performed exceptionally well. To the members of Congress: here is a Minister of the Presidency who, for the first time, is also the president-elect. She has my complete confidence. I offer her some advice: take a few days of vacation, but come back soon. She won’t be starting cold; she’ll be ready to go, she’ll be ready, and the only one who will benefit is the people of Costa Rica,” said Chaves.
For many, by accepting the appointment, Fernandez is often viewed as a sycophant—someone who follows orders without question just to please a superior, coming across as overly submissive to someone with more power.
The period between winning the election (the first Sunday in February) and officially taking office (on May 8) is a critical time for a president-elect in Costa Rica. During this transition, the president-elect focuses on several key actions to prepare for governing, such as assembling a team of advisors and cabinet members, which involves selecting individuals who will head government ministries and agencies, balancing political alliances, expertise, and the priorities laid out during the campaign.
Building a strong, capable team is essential to ensure a smooth start once the administration begins.
The president-elect also begins outlining policy priorities and crafting the administration’s agenda. This might include drafting speeches, preparing legislative proposals, and setting economic or social goals. Public communication during this time is important to build trust and clarify what the new government intends to achieve.
Internationally, the president-elect may start establishing contacts with foreign leaders and diplomats. This helps position Costa Rica on the global stage and ensures continuity in foreign relations.
This time is also spent preparing for the official inauguration ceremony, a significant symbolic event marking the start of their term. This includes logistical planning and coordinating with various branches of government. All these actions during the transition period reflect the president-elect’s responsibility to prepare effectively for governance and ensure stability as power changes hands.