Q COSTARICA — Costa Rica could once again hold a referendum similar to the one in 2007, when Costa Ricans voted to join the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the United States.
Laura Fernández, Costa Rica’s president-elect, confirmed in an exclusive interview with LA REPÚBLICA that the possibility of calling a referendum is on the table.
However, she clarified that she prefers to negotiate first with the opposition parties in Congress to avoid the enormous expense that a referendum would entail.
The president-elect called on the opposition to put aside their political differences and forget about Rodrigo Chaves, Pilar Cisneros, and herself, and to start working for the country as soon as possible. The idea is that they not disregard the broad popular mandate that the Sovereign People received at the polls.
Regarding security, Fernández is planning a package of projects to implement a tougher approach, change the juvenile criminal law, and improve aspects related to the execution of sentences.
She also plans to reform the National Learning Institute (INA) to better align it with the labor market and develop 20 flagship infrastructure projects.
To achieve all of this, she insists that her first option is to rely on her 31-member legislative bloc (29 seats needed for a majority) and engage in political negotiations with other parties in Congress, but reiterates that she “does not fear the people of Costa Rica” and that she could call for a referendum to validate a strategic issue if there is a deadlock.
A resounding victory
Laura Fernández’s victory, representing the Partido Pueblo Soberano (PPSO), is the most decisive in a presidential election in 32 years.
The president-elect did not require a runoff election to secure the win, unlike four other times this century.
According to the Supreme Electoral Tribunal:
- 1994 José María Figueres (PLN) 49.6%
- 1998 Miguel Ángel Rodríguez (PUSC) 47.0%
- 2002 Abel Pacheco (PUSC) 38.6%*
- 2006 Óscar Arias (PLN) 40.9%
- 2010 Laura Chinchilla (PLN) 46.9%
- 2014 Luis Guillermo Solís (PAC) 30.6%*
- 2018 Carlos Alvarado (PAC) 21.6%*
- 2022 Rodrigo Chaves (Progreso Social) 27.3%*
- 2026 Laura Fernández (Pueblo Soberano) 48.3%
*Results in first round voting. In the second round, Abel Pacheco (2002), Luis Guillermo Solís (2014), Carlos Alvarado (2018), and Rodrigo Chaves (2022) were proclaimed as presidents.