RICO’s Q — Despite being regularly described as combative in political coverage, President Laura Fernández surprised many during her first clash with opposition lawmakers. Instead of digging in for a fight, she announced on Wednesday that she would pull the electricity harmonization bill from the Legislative Assembly’s extraordinary session, opting to step back rather than escalate the standoff.
Despite being consistently described as highly confrontational, in her first clash with opposition legislators, President Laura Fernández chose to quit rather than fight, announcing on Wednesday afternoon that she will withdraw the electricity harmonization bill from the extraordinary sessions of the Legislative Assembly.
This came after he took a hard line, going so far as to publicly brand the 24 opposition lawmakers who voted against the measure as “communists” and “vagrants”—terms often thrown around to smear critics.
Everyone heard what Laura said publicly to the legislators of the Frente Amplio (FA), Partido Liberación Nacional (PLN), and Claudia Dobles of the Coalición Agenda Ciudadana (CAC).
Rather than deflecting attention by labeling the opposition as communists, Doña Laura and Rodrigo Chaves should focus on telling the country how this project will actually benefit consumers.
We already know that the Costa Rican Union of Chambers and Associations of the Private Business Sector (UCAEEP) is backing the project. But it’s worth remembering that UCAEEP has thrown its support behind some pretty damaging measures before—like the 2018 tax package, passed with votes from PLN, PUSC, and PAC, which went so far as to tax basic food items.
Neither Laura nor Rodrigo Chaves has shared how they plan to lower electricity rates, or by how much.
What really matters to consumers is simple: Does the law actually include something that will lower electricity rates? If it doesn’t, what’s the benefit for the consumer?
Laura and Chaves aren’t actually discussing the bill itself. Whenever they run out of real arguments, they resort to personal attacks.
Very interesting
There’s a popular saying, “A barking dog doesn’t bite.” This means that, generally, the people who boast the most about their bravery and willingness to “take the heat” are the first to run away.
It turns out that the Constitutional Court condemned Rodrigo Chaves in a writ of amparo (a constitutional protection action), and since the Court found that Chaves violated the Constitution, a citizen sued him for the damages he suffered as a result of that violation.
In Costa Rica, if a public official, including the President, who typically has immunity, violates your fundamental rights and the Constitutional Court agrees, you can sue that official for damages. Both the official and the State may be required to compensate you.
The Court attempted to serve Rodrigo Chaves at Casa Presidencial, the main office for the Ministry of the Presidency—since Chaves currently serves as Minister. But when the court officer showed up in Zapote, Chaves wasn’t in any of the offices.
Even after the officer searched the corridors and offices of Casa Presidencial, Rodrigo Chaves wouldn’t come out, and no one ever figured out where he was hiding.
Because of this, the officer was unable to serve him.
Until service is completed, the legal process is stuck. That means, for now, Chaves faces no consequences and isn’t being held responsible for the harm he’s caused.