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North & Central America and Caribbean
Costa Rica |
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Last reviewed: 18 August 2009 |
Country information
POLITICS
Costa Rican politics has been dominated by 2 main parties, the National Liberation Party (PLN) and Social Christian Unity Party (PUSC), which have generally tended to succeed each other in power every 4 years. However, recent elections have shown the emergence of new parties, including the Citizens Action Party (PAC) and the Libertarian Movement (ML). The most recent elections, held in February 2006, saw the PLN regain power, but the PAC became the official opposition with the ML in third place. The PUSC, has been left very much as a minority party. The 2006 elections saw the PLN’s candidate, Dr Oscar Arias Sanchez, elected in the tightest election in Costa Rican history, separated from his rival by just 0.4% of the vote.
President Arias was inaugurated on 8 May 2006 and has vowed to improve health, education and law and order, whilst promoting free trade and international peace.
The country remains rocked by corruption scandals involving senior political and public figures, the most damaging of which concern the Social Security Institution (CCSS or Caja) and Costa Rican Electricity Institute(ICE). Two former Presidents, Miguel Ángel Rodríguez and Rafael Ángel Calderón were arrested on corruption charges and their trial began on November 3rd 2008. In spite of this Calderón has officially announced his candidacy for the Presidenial elections, which are due in February 2010. The leading candidates are Otton Sollis (PAC) and Laura Chinchilla (PLN), previously Vice-President in the current Arias administration.
HUMAN RIGHTS
As the seat of important regional institutions, including the Inter American Human Rights Court and Institute, Costa Rica enjoys prestige in the field of human rights and has made human rights a priority in the conduct of its foreign policy. Costa Rica is vulnerable to criticism on child prostitution and the growing problem of sex tourism, failure to recognise certain ILO conventions, and a judicial system which is slow. Nevertheless, Costa Rica can still boast an enviable record in the region.
