Q COSTARICA — Costa Rica enters the final stretch of the 2026 National Elections this Friday, January 2nd. According to the schedule established by the Tribunal Supremo de Elecciónes (TSE)—Supreme Electoral Tribunal, the year-end holidays truce period, which expired this Thursday, is no longer in effect.
With this, presidential candidates will be able to resume their campaigns and advertise in various media outlets and social networks.
During the truce, candidates were prohibited from disseminating campaign materials and were only permitted to issue one Christmas message on social media or traditional media.
In fact, they were allowed to issue three messages, according to the regulations issued by the TSE, and allowed to continue visiting communities.
Political analyst Sergio Araya told El Observador that, after the break, the final stretch of the electoral campaign is underway, and January is crucial.
According to Araya, greater participation is now expected from the candidates leading in the polls in various debates. Likewise, high participation from the candidates is projected in different forums organized by various media outlets and some universities.
According to the analyst, Laura Fernández, the official candidate of the Partido Pueblo Soberano (PPSO), will seek to consolidate her position and try to increase the number of votes she needs to win in the first round, which requires a candidate to obtain at least 40% of the popular vote, to avoid a run-off vote in April.
Meanwhile, the other candidates will try to prevent this scenario from occurring.
“We will likely see an aggressive campaign against the current leader (Fernandez), aiming to highlight what they perceive as their weaknesses, shortcomings, and limitations.
“On the other hand, the other candidates will try to differentiate themselves so that one of them can stand out and at least secure second place, potentially leading to a runoff election,” Araya stated.
According to polls conducted by specialized centers and institutes at the University of Costa Rica (UCR) and the Universidad Nacional (UNA), the Fernandez, known as the Chavista candidate, has nearly 30% support, well above the other candidates, but with a high number of undecided voters, according to data from December.
According to Araya, this January will be a campaign focused on increasing advertising spending in traditional media, with a particular emphasis on analog formats.
Anticipated also is the continuation of the digital media strategy through aggressive campaigns. aimed at maintaining the polarized tone observed so far.
“The great challenge is to somehow minimize the role of the President this month, who, despite being unable to actively intervene in the process, has been a central figure.
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“Media and public attention will focus precisely on the candidates, especially the presidential candidates, but there will also be a special emphasis on the congressional candidates,” Araya explained.
The analyst indicated that the ruling party’s proposal for a robust majority in the Legislative Assembly has generated greater appeal and interest compared to previous electoral processes.
The national elections are scheduled for Sunday, February 1, 2026.
If, for any reason, there is a second round of voting, it would take place on April 5, Easter Sunday.
Approximately 3.7 million Costa Ricans are eligible to vote to choose the next president, two vice-presidents, and the 57 legislators of the Legislative Assembly that will serve for the 2026-2030 term.