Democracy News

Chinchilla Elected as Costa Rica’s First Female President
February 23, 2010
By: Randi Zung | Printer Friendly        

On February 7, Costa Rica, Latin America’s oldest democracy, elected Laura Chinchilla of the National Liberation Party (PLN) as the country’s first female president.  Chinchilla won the election with 47 percent of the vote.  During Chinchilla’s campaign, she promised to increase spending on security – specifically mentioning lowering “crime, violence, and drug trafficking,” according to the New York Times.  In addition to focusing on security concerns, Chinchilla has also pledged to work towards lifting Costa Rica out of its economic downturn.  In 2006, President Oscar Arias named Chinchilla as Vice President, but she stepped down in order to run in the presidential election.

AFP reports that pre-election surveys showed that Chinchilla was a clear frontrunner, with a nearly a twenty point lead over the nearest competitor.  There were seven candidates in total.  Chinchilla avoided a runoff election by claiming more than 40 percent of the votes.  PLN has dominated Costa Rican politics for the past six decades.

Sources:

AFP - First female poised for Costa Rica presidency

New York Times - Costa Rica: Female Leader Elected