According to the results of processing 95.93% of the ballots in the presidential elections in Costa Rica, former finance minister Rodrigo Chavez wins. He receives 52.86% of the vote, the TV channel reports. TeleSur. In the second round, he managed to bypass ex-president José Maria Figueres.
Rodrigo Chávez served as Minister of Finance in 2019–2020. He was a candidate for the centre-right Social Democratic Progress Party. José María Figueres led the country from 1994-1998, he was nominated by the centrist National Liberation Party. In the first round, they received 16.78% and 27.28% of the vote, respectively.
Voting in the second round took place yesterday, April 3. According to preliminary data, voter turnout was 57.33%. The winner of the election will take office on May 8 for a term of four years (2022-2026). Mr. Figueres admitted his defeat in the elections and congratulated his rival. “I still think that Costa Rica is in deep crisis and in a state of emergency. But we have everything to save Costa Rica and move forward,” he said.
Rodrigo Chavez thanked the ex-president and invited him to work together in the new government. “I undertake to create a democratic government capable of dialogue, respecting the Constitution, law and values of Costa Rica,” he promised.
The current President of Costa Rica, Carlos Alvarado, has already congratulated the President-elect. The inauguration of Rodrigo Chavez is scheduled for May 8.