Former president Abel Pacheco (2002-2006) says he will vote for Rafael Angel Calderón Guardia, as he did when he voted for the first time back in 1940.
With the unusual vote – in effect a null vote – Pacheco is turning his back to Dr. Rodolfo Hernandez, the presidential candidate for the Partido Unidad Social Cristiana (PUSC), the same party that brought him to the presidency 11 years ago.
Pacheco said that he will not support the PUSC due to the interference of former presidents Rafael Ángel Calderón Fournier (son of Rafael Angel Calderón Guardia) and Miguel Ángel Rodríguez Echeverría.
Pacheco said that he will not vote for Óscar López, presidential candidate for the Partido Accesibilidad Sin Exclusión (PASE), as he did back in 2006, when López an adviser in his administration, left the PUSC.
The former president said that the fact that he made it public his vote for López helped that group elect to legislators. But, Pacheco says, López has not proven to be a good legislator and as such does feel represented by López.
As to the other presidential candidates, Pacheco would not offer comment.
Pacheco is medical doctor graduated from Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México with a degree in Psychiatry from Louisiana State University. During the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s Pacheco was a popular presenter of short programs on Costa Rican television. He is also the author of a number of books, including both, fiction and non-fiction. Among other titles of the books that he penned are: Paso de tropa (1969), and Más abajo de la piel (1972). His work has been translated to more than 20 different languages, given its importance to Costa Rican cultural heritage.
Abel Pacheco was awarded with the prize “Citizen of the World” for his valuable contribution to culture and literature around the world.
In the seven years since Don Abel has left office, he has been practically absent from national politics. As a neighbour of QCostarica, Don Abel has shunned public life, maintaining a low profile while enjoying family life.
