Q COSTARICA — In two and a half months, on April 30, the current legislators (diputados in Spanish) of the Legislative Assembly will conclude four years of public service and return to their daily lives.
What will they do? In the final stretch of the legislative session, several have already decided what they will do once they leave office; others are considering it, and still others are undecided.
Around 10 legislators responded to an inquiry by the El Observador digital media.
Taking several days off is almost a unanimous response from those consulted before assuming a new professional role away from the Legislative Assembly building.
However, some will remain in the legislative building, as they hold positions within the institution, such as Alejandro Pacheco of the PUSC party, who has worked at the Assembly for 20 years.
“After May 1st, I will return to my position in the Legislative Assembly’s legal department, where I have been employed since 2006,” he responded, adding that “I will continue with the family businesses.”
Another legislator who holds a permanent position and will return to her post is Paulina Ramírez of the Partido Liberiación Nacional (PLN), currently serving as Tax Director for the Municipality of Cartago.
“I joined the Municipality of Cartago 32 years ago, therefore, I am a permanent employee. I hold the position of Tax Director, and once my unpaid leave is over, I will return to my post,” the legislator responded.
Independent legislator Kattia Cambronero also has her plans in place; first, she will rest, and then she will return to her professional activities in the private sector.
“First, I’m going to take a break, and then I will continue my private activities, which I have always pursued, primarily in consulting and energy, which are the areas that interest me most,” she stated.
Monserrat Ruiz of the PLN will do the same.
“Personally, I have worked my entire life in the private sector, especially in the areas of service, management, and public relations. That has been my training ground and my vocation: building bridges, supporting processes, and generating trust,” she affirmed.
“After April 30th, I will take some time to breathe, reflect, and spend more time with my family. These have been years of enormous demands and also profound lessons. Afterward, my intention is to return to the private sector in my areas of expertise, where I know I can continue to contribute based on the experience I have accumulated in both the public and private sectors,” she added.
Litigation and Life
Two antagonistic legislators who have had many altercations throughout the legislative period, Gloria Navas and Pilar Cisneros, already know what they will do after they leave the legislature.
“I’ll rest for a few days and then rejoin the legal team, without exaggerating; I also want to do important social work, especially in women’s protection, counseling, psychological support, and above all, spiritual guidance,” stated Navas, a lawyer by profession who will be 78 years old when she retires.
For her part, Cisneros, who has repeatedly stated that she will not continue in politics, nor will she accept a position in Laura Fernández’s government, says she only wants to rest and “live.”
“Nothing, just live, that’s what I’m going to do…read, be with my husband, my children, and my grandchildren,” she responded, reiterating that “I’m not going to accept any public office, for any salary, at any price.”
However, the head of the ruling party says that her term doesn’t end on April 30th, but rather on May 8th at noon, because that’s what she promised President Rodrigo Chaves.
“I told Mr. Chaves, I’m giving him four years of my life, and they expire on May 8th at noon,” she mentioned.
Cisneros says she will not return to politics.
Waiting
Other legislators consulted say they haven’t yet decided what they will do, although they have options and offers.
“I still don’t know. I’m waiting to see the party’s political strategy because I owe my commitment to this project. I do want to resume some courses, some classes, but since I’m a temporary member, I have to get back in line,” stated Rocío Alfaro, head of the Frente Amplio caucus, who wants to return to university teaching.
Meanwhile, Eli Feinzaig of the Partido Liberal Progresista (PLP) says he will define his priorities once he leaves his legislative seat.
“I haven’t decided yet. I was fully immersed in the campaign, and now, thinking and analyzing, I have options. Fortunately, I have a very fulfilling life outside of politics, so it’s a matter of defining priorities,” he stated.
Finally, Carlos Felipe García of the Partido Unidad Social Cristiana (PUSC), the youngest legisaltor in this term, says he has some academic and job offers, both in the country and abroad, but that he will decide later.
“Let’s wait until after Semana Santa (Holy Week) so we can start thinking about it little more,” he said.