Costa Rica politics

A president is elected every four years in Costa Rica. The election is made directly by the people. Re-election of the president is excluded, but there are currently discussions about changing the constitution, which should ensure that a president can only be re-elected once. The decision has not yet been made. The government is made up of the president of the state, two vice-presidents, and the governing council. This government council consists of a total of 17 members. The parliament and the national congress consist of 57 members who are elected every four years. However, they are not elected directly by the people, but by the cantonal administrations. If there is a two-thirds majority in Congress, government decisions can be revoked. Congress can also supplement the state budget and appoint the judges to serve on the Supreme Court.

An important figure in the political life of Costa Rica is Oscar Arias Sanchez, who was president between 1986 and 1990 and between 2004 and 2010. He received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1987 because due to his efforts the so-called Contras disappeared from Costa Rica and he contributed enormously to the establishment of a permanent ceasefire and peace in Central America. After Oscar Arias Sanchez, a woman was elected for the first time as head of state in Costa Rica. It’s Laura Chinchilla Miranda. The Foreign Office also made a statement on domestic policy in Costa Rica. It is said here that Costa Rica is a model country in terms of political stability and peace on a social level when viewed in the Central American context. The country follows the North American model in constitution and institution, at least in part, whereby the division of powers is strictly carried out.