Government candidate Laura Fernández is the big favorite for her hard-line promises against crime, which, according to opponents, will push the country towards authoritarianism
Costa Ricans go to the polls this Sunday (1) to determine the country’s new president, with government candidate Laura Fernández as the big favorite for her hard-line promises against crime, which, according to her opponents, will push the country towards authoritarianism, something she denies. “I will always ensure democratic stability,” he declared this Sunday amid the turmoil at his polling place.
According to the most recent survey by the University of Costa Rica (UCR), 26% of the electorate were undecided. A possible second round will take place on April 5th.
Almost 3.7 million citizens are called to vote in the elections that will also define the 57 deputies of the Chamber, in a country recognized for its stability and social well-being, but where drug trafficking is expanding with a high dose of violence. The polls open at 6:00 am local time (9:00 am Brasília time) and will remain open until 6:00 pm (9:00 pm Brasília time). The first official results will be announced around 9:00 pm (00:00 Brasília time).
Who is Laura Fernández?
39-year-old conservative political scientist, Laura Fernández, political heir to popular president Rodrigo Chaves, led polls of voting intentions by highlighting the issue of security, the main concern of Costa Ricans.
After voting in the city of Cartago, she reiterated that her goal is to “win in the first round”, a goal for which she needs 40% support, a percentage that she could even surpass, according to several surveys.
The former Minister of the Presidency and Planning also aspires to have a large majority in Congress to approve reforms to the Constitution.
A victory for Laura Fernández to govern for the next four years would consolidate the right in Latin America, after recent victories in Chile, Bolivia, Peru and Honduras. Chaves is an ally of United States President Donald Trump.
*With AFP
