The presidential candidates are taking a different approach to the April 6 run-off election, looking to forge political alliances prior to taking the campaign back to the voters.
Today the PAC candidate, Luis Guillermo Solís, is expected to have a private meeting with former president, Abel Pacheco of the Partido Unidad Social Cristiana (PUSC). The former has publicly expressed his support for the PAC candidate.
The meeting will take place at the Pacheco home in Rohrmoser, an informal setting since the two men know each other. Pacheco said publicly on Friday that he would probably vote for Solís on April 6.
On Friday, Solís met with the secretary of the Episcopal Conference, Ángel San Casimiro.
The highest representative of the Catholic Church in Costa Rica, said “there is no need to make trouble where there is none”, regarding Solís’ position on abortion, in vitro fertilization (IVF) and gay marriages. San Casimiro said that the position of the candidate are “not our of this world”, but sait that hopefully all will identity with the fundamental right to life.
Following the meeting that lasted a little over an hour, Solis told
the press that he will respect the present law on abortion, if elected president on April 6. On the subject of IVF, the candidate said it is necessary to comply with the order of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights that ordered Costa Rica to legalize IVF. On gay marriage, the candidate said he was in favour of coexistence of societies and reiterate to promote marriage equality.
One subject both Solís and the Church are in full agreement is the need to fight to eradicate extreme poverty in the country.
San Casimiro and the other Bishops of the Episcopal Conference met on Tuesday with Partido Liberación Nacional (PLN) candidate, Johnny Araya.
Solis appears to be making a mistake by ignoring Villalta and taking his votes for granted. The character assassination by the campaigns of both remaining candidates during the election has alienated Villalta’s supporters, who are extremely loyal and will probably sit out the run-off election unless Solis reaches out to Villalta and makes some concessions to the Frente Amplio. While these supporters despise the PLN and Araya in particular, their non-participation in the run-off might just ensure that he becomes the next president.