Q COSTA RICA — The most recent CIEP-UCR survey released on September 9, 2026, measured how Costa Ricans perceive the power dynamic between President Laura Fernández and her predecessor, Rodrigo Chaves.
The perception that Rodrigo Chaves maintains considerable influence within the current government is strongly reflected in the survey.
64.4% of those surveyed believe that the former president has “a lot of influence” over the decisions of the administration led by Laura Fernández.
The survey divided responses into four levels. 19.7% indicated that Chaves exerts “some influence,” while 12.9% believe his influence is minimal.
Only 3% of those interviewed responded that the former president has no influence whatsoever over the decisions of the current administration.
The results show that the perception of some degree of influence by Chaves extends to a large majority of those interviewed. CIEP itself points out in its analysis that this view is widely shared among the population surveyed.
The study even introduces the concept of a “dual presidentialism” to analyze how a part of the citizenry currently interprets the exercise of power.
The idea put forward by the researchers does not mean that a second presidency formally exists, but rather describes the perception that leadership of the Executive Branch is not concentrated solely in the person who constitutionally holds that office.
Laura Fernández, for her part, has publicly rejected the notion that her administration operates under a two-headed system and has maintained that she exercises the Presidency and the powers corresponding to the position.
CIEP analyzes the first months of the new government
The survey, conducted during the 100 days of the Fernández administration, allows researchers to observe how the public interprets the political relationship between the president and her predecessor.
Chaves currently holds positions within the Executive Branch, such as Minister of the Presidency and Minister of Finance, a circumstance that keeps him involved in the daily workings of the government, and maintains his immunity against the dozens of cases presently being hold by the Attorney General’s Office (Fiscalía).
CIEP explained that its opinion polls aim to monitor public perceptions on political and social issues, both during and outside of electoral processes. The institution has been conducting this type of survey systematically since 2012.
The survey was conducted through 994 telephone interviews with people over 18 years of age.
The interviews took place between August 25 and 28, as well as on September 1.
The data places the influence attributed to Chaves as one of the political elements shaping public perception at the start of the new administration.
SOURCES:
- CIEP-UCR (Center for Political Research and Studies at the Universidad de Costa Rica)
- Semanario Universidad