Five of the last six former presidents are in agreement that re-election of a president should be maintained and not prohibited as proposed by legislator for the Partido Acción Ciudadana, Juan Carlos Mendoza.
Two time president Oscar Arias (1986-1990 and 2006-2010) – the only one of the last six who has been re-elected – sait that a Constitutional Amendment cannot curtail the rights of those who have already held office.
Abel Pacheco (2002-2006) says he also disagrees with the Mendoza initiative, also citing a violation of the rights of those who have held office and impede the continuity of key projects.
Rafael Angel Calderon (1990-1994) agrees with a reform on the presidential term, that re-elections should be consecutive, but not bannned.
President from 1994-1998, José María Figueres Olsen, also is in disagreement with the Mendoza proposal. Up to last October Figueres had considered running in the 2014 elections.
Miguel Angel Rodríguez (1998-2002) coincides with Calderón on the consecutive issue.
The only dissenting note is that of Luis Alberto Monge (1982-1986). Monge could not respond to the query by AmeliaRueda.com, but is on record in 1999 when he was in total disagreement to Oscar Arias seeking re-election.
Currently, re-election is “un por medio” – every other election. A sitting president cannot be re-election to a consecutive term.
