Costa Rica

This article is part of the series: Politics and government of Costa Rica Coat of Arms of Costa Rica The cote of arms is not a real picture, it is just a picture that was made up by Casrto This is a copyrighted and/or trademarked logo. ...

President Óscar Arias Legislative Assembly Political parties Elections Presidential 2006 Parliament 2006 Provinces Foreign relations

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Politics of Costa Rica takes place in a framework of a presidential representative democratic republic, whereby the President of Costa Rica is both head of state and head of government, and of a pluriform multi-party system. Executive power is exercised by the government. Legislative power is vested in both the government and the Legislative Assembly. The Judiciary is independent of the executive and the legislature. Costa Rica is a republic with a strong system of constitutional checks and balances. The following table contains a list of the presidents and heads of state of Costa Rica since Central American independence from Spain and Mexico. ... Óscar Rafael de Jesús Arias Sánchez (born 13 September 1940, in Heredia, Costa Rica) is the current President of Costa Rica and the first Nobel Laureate from his nation. ... The Legislative Assembly ( Spanish: Asamblea Legislativa) is the unicameral legislative branch of the government of Costa Rica. ... Political parties in Costa Rica lists political parties in this country. ... Politics of Costa Rica Categories: Election related stubs | Elections in Costa Rica ... Costa Rica held a presidential election on 5 February 2006. ... Costa Rica consists of seven provinces: Alajuela (central; north of capital San José) Cartago Guanacaste (north-west) Heredia Limón (Caribbean coast) Puntarenas (south-west) San José (Area around capital) Ranked list by population (as of 2000) Ranked list by area Ranked list by population density Categories: Central America geography... Costa Rica is an active member of the international community and, in 1993, claimed it was for neutrality. ... Information on politics by country is available for every country, including both de jure and de facto independent states, inhabited dependent territories, as well as areas of special sovereignty. ... A presidential system, also called a congressional system, is a system of government where the executive branch exists and presides (hence the term) separate from the legislature, to which it is not accountable, and which cannot in normal circumstances dismiss it. ... Representative democracy is a form of democracy founded on the exercise of popular sovereignty by the peoples representatives. ... In a broad definition, a republic is a state or country that is led by people whose political power is based on principles that are not beyond the control of the people of that state or country. ... The following table contains a list of the presidents and heads of state of Costa Rica since Central American independence from Spain and Mexico. ... Queen Elizabeth II, is the Head of State of 16 countries including: the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Jamaica, New Zealand and the Bahamas, as well as crown colonies and overseas territories of the United Kingdom. ... The Head of Government is the chief officer of the executive branch of a government, often presiding over a cabinet. ... Under the doctrine of the separation of powers, the executive is the branch of a government charged with implementing, or executing, the law. ... A legislature is a governmental deliberative body with the power to adopt laws. ... The Legislative Assembly ( Spanish: Asamblea Legislativa) is the unicameral legislative branch of the government of Costa Rica. ... In law, the judiciary or judicature is the system of courts which administer justice in the name of the sovereign or state, and provide a mechanism for the resolution of disputes. ... In a broad definition, a republic is a state or country that is led by people whose political power is based on principles that are not beyond the control of the people of that state or country. ...

Political conditions

Costa Rica long has emphasized the development of democracy and respect for human rights. Costa Rica has avoided the violence that has plagued Central America; it is seen as an example of political stability in the region, and is referred to as the "Switzerland of the Americas". Until recently, the country's political system has contrasted sharply with many of its Central American and Caribbean neighbors; it has steadily developed and maintained democratic institutions and an orderly, constitutional scheme for government succession. Several factors have contributed to this tendency, including enlightened government leaders, comparative prosperity, flexible class lines, educational opportunities that have created a stable middle class, and high social indicators. Also, because Costa Rica has no armed forces, it has avoided the possibility of political intrusiveness by the military that some neighboring countries have experienced. Costa Rica experienced several unusual days of demonstrations and civil disturbance in early 2000 due to protests over legislation that would have permitted private sector participation in the telecommunications and electrical power sectors. These sectors currently are controlled by state-owned monopolies. The legislation was withdrawn, but the underlying question of the appropriate role of the state in the provision of public services remains sensitive. Human rights are rights which some hold to be inalienable and belonging to all humans. ... Map of Central America Central America is the central geographic region of the Americas. ... World map depicting Caribbean : West Indies redirects here. ... This article is about the year 2000. ...

Costa Rica's leading political parties are Partido Liberación Nacional (PLN, social democratic), Partido Acción Ciudadana (PAC, Reformist, largely but not exclusively left and center left), Partido Movimiento Libertario (ML, libertarian) and the Partido Unidad Social Cristiana (PUSC, christian democratic). Other minor parties include Partido Renovación Costarricense (PRC, Christian) and Fuerza Democrática (FD, left). Several new parties participated for the first time in the 2006 elections, including Partido Unión Patriótica, Partido Unión para el Cambio, Partido Patria Primero, and Partido Alianza Democrática Nacionalista but their results were mostly poor. A political party is an organization that seeks to attain political power within a government, usually by participating in electoral campaigns. ... Social democracy is a political ideology emerging in the late 19th and early 20th centuries from supporters of Marxism who believed that the transition to a socialist society could be achieved through democratic evolutionary rather than revolutionary means. ... The Citizens Action Party (Spanish: Partido Acción Ciudadana; commonly abbreviated as PAC) is a political party in Costa Rica. ... Categories: Politics stubs | Liberal related stubs | Libertarian parties | Costa Rican political parties | Liberal parties ... Libertarianism is a political philosophy advocating that individuals should be free to do whatever they wish with their person or property, as long as they do not infringe on the same liberty of others. ... Christian Democracy is a heterogeneous political ideology and movement. ...

In the February 1998 national election, PUSC candidate Miguel Ángel Rodríguez won the presidency over PLN nominee Jose Miguel Corrales. President Rodriguez assumed office 8 May 1998. The PUSC also obtained 27 seats in the 57-member Legislative Assembly, for a plurality, while the PLN gained 23 and five minor parties won seven. Social Christian in philosophy, the PUSC generally favors neoliberalism, conservative fiscal policies, and government reform. President Rodriguez pledged to reduce the country's large internal debt, privatize state-owned utilities, attract additional foreign investment, eliminate social welfare programs, and promote the creation of jobs with decent salaries. The reforms he tried to promote found opposition from several parties, including his own, and he asserted several times the country was "ungovernable". In particular, an attempt by the Legislative Assembly to approve a law that opened up the electricity and telecommunication markets (contolled by a monopoly of the Costa Rican Institute of Electricity - ICE) to market competition, known as the "Combo" law was met with strong social opposition. Supported by both major parties at the time, the PLN and PUSC, as well as by President Rodriguez, the first of three required legislative votes to approve the Combo law provoked the largest protest demonstrations the country had seen since 1970. The government quickly resolved to shelf the initiative. President Rodríguez's approval would reach an all-time low, and he was indicted by the Attorney General after leaving office on corruption charges. 1998 (MCMXCVIII) was a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated the International Year of the Ocean. ... Miguel Ángel Rodríguez Echeverría (born 9 January 1940) is a Costa Rican economist, lawyer, businessman, and politician. ... May 8 is the 128th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (129th in leap years). ... 1998 (MCMXCVIII) was a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated the International Year of the Ocean. ... internal debt is the part of countries debts owed to creditors inside the country. ...

In the 2002 national election, a new party founded by former PLN Congressman and government Minister Ottón Solís captured 26% of the vote, forcing a runoff election for the first time in the country's history. Abel PACHECO was elected President, under a national unity platform, but continuing most of the neoliberal and conservative policies of Miguel Ángel Rodríguez. This election was also important because new parties won several seats in Congress, more than ever. The PUSC obtained 19 seats, PLN 17 seats, PAC 14 seats, PML 6 seats and PRC one seat. For album titles with the same name, see 2002 (album). ... Ottón Solís is a Costa Rican politician. ... Miguel Ángel Rodríguez Echeverría (born 9 January 1940) is a Costa Rican economist, lawyer, businessman, and politician. ...

During the year 2004, several high profile corruption scandals shattered the foundations of PUSC. Two former Presidents from the party, Miguel Ángel Rodríguez and Rafael Ángel Calderón were arrested on corruption charges and are currently waiting for the investigation to end and trial to begin. Also involved in scandals has been José María Figueres, former President from PLN and former head of the World Economic Forum. Miguel Ángel Rodríguez Echeverría (born 9 January 1940) is a Costa Rican economist, lawyer, businessman, and politician. ... There have been two presidents of Costa Rica named Rafael Ángel Calderón: Rafael Ángel Calderón Guardia, president from 1940 to 1944. ... // José María Figueres Olsen José María Figueres Olsen is a former President of Costa Rica (1994-1998) currently living in Swizterland and unwilling to return to his country to face charges for corruption during his admistration. ... The World Economic Forum (WEF) is a Geneva-based foundation whose annual meeting of top business leaders, national political leaders (presidents, prime ministers and others), and selected intellectuals and journalists is usually held in Davos, Switzerland. ...

The 2006 national election was expected to be a landslide for former President (1986-1990) and PLN's candidate Óscar Arias, but it turned out to be the closest in modern history. Although polls just a week before the election gave Arias a comfortable lead of at least 12% (and up to 20%), preliminary election results gave him only a .4% lead over rival Ottón Solís and prompted a manual recount of all ballots. After a month long recount and several appeals from different parties, Arias was declared the official winner with 40.9% of the votes against 39.8% for Solís. 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Óscar Rafael de Jesús Arias Sánchez (born 13 September 1940, in Heredia, Costa Rica) is the current President of Costa Rica and the first Nobel Laureate from his nation. ... Ottón Solís is a Costa Rican politician. ...

Executive branch

Óscar Arias Sánchez, Nobel Peace Prize, President of Costa Rica (2006-present)

Executive responsibilities are vested in a president, who is the country's center of power. There also are two vice presidents and a 15-member cabinet that includes one of the vice presidents. The president and 57 Legislative Assembly deputies are elected for 4-year terms. A constitutional amendment approved in 1969 limits presidents and deputies to one term, although a deputy may run again for an Assembly seat after sitting out a term. The prohibition was officially recognized as anti-constitutional in April 2003, allowing Óscar Arias to run for President a second time in the 2006 Costa Rican presidential elections. The offices of the Comptroller General of the Republic, the Procurator General of the Public, and the Ombudsman exercise autonomous oversight of the government. The Comptroller General's office has a statutory responsibility to scrutinize all but the smallest contracts of the public sector and strictly enforces procedural requirements. Image File history File links OscarArias. ... Image File history File links OscarArias. ... Dr. Óscar Rafael de Jesús Arias Sánchez (born 13 September 1941, in Heredia) was the President of Costa Rica from 1986 to 1990. ... The following table contains a list of the presidents and heads of state of Costa Rica since Central American independence from Spain and Mexico. ... The Legislative Assembly ( Spanish: Asamblea Legislativa) is the unicameral legislative branch of the government of Costa Rica. ... 1969 (MCMLXIX) was a common year starting on Wednesday (the link is to a full 1969 calendar). ... Óscar Rafael de Jesús Arias Sánchez (born 13 September 1940, in Heredia, Costa Rica) is the current President of Costa Rica and the first Nobel Laureate from his nation. ... Costa Rica held a presidential election on 5 February 2006. ...

Governors appointed by the president head the country's seven provinces, but they exercise little power. There are no provincial legislatures. Autonomous state agencies enjoy considerable operational independence; they include the telecommunications and electrical power monopoly, the nationalized commercial banks, the state insurance monopoly, and the social security agency. Costa Rica has no military but maintains domestic Police and armed National Guard forces securing its interests.

The following table contains a list of the presidents and heads of state of Costa Rica since Central American independence from Spain and Mexico. ... Óscar Rafael de Jesús Arias Sánchez (born 13 September 1940, in Heredia, Costa Rica) is the current President of Costa Rica and the first Nobel Laureate from his nation. ... The National Liberation Party (Spanish: Partido Liberación Nacional; commonly abbreviated as PLN) is a political party in Costa Rica. ... May 8 is the 128th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (129th in leap years). ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Political parties and elections

The following election results include names of political parties. See for additional information about parties the List of political parties in Costa Rica. An overview on elections and election results is included in Elections in Costa Rica.

The electoral process is supervised by an independent Supreme Electoral Tribunal – a commission of three principal magistrates and six alternates selected by the Supreme Court of Justice. An election is a decision making process where people choose people to hold official offices. ... A political party is a political organization subscribing to a certain ideology or formed around very special issues. ... Political parties in Costa Rica lists political parties in this country. ... An election is a decision making process whereby people vote for preferred political candidates or parties to act as representatives in government. ... Politics of Costa Rica Categories: Election related stubs | Elections in Costa Rica ... The supreme court in some countries, provinces, and states, functions as a court of last resort whose rulings cannot be challenged. ...

Main article: Costa Rican presidential election, 2006

Main article: Costa Rican parliamentary election, 2006

Costa Rica held a presidential election on 5 February 2006. ... Óscar Rafael de Jesús Arias Sánchez (born 13 September 1940, in Heredia, Costa Rica) is the current President of Costa Rica and the first Nobel Laureate from his nation. ... The National Liberation Party (Spanish: Partido Liberación Nacional; commonly abbreviated as PLN) is a political party in Costa Rica. ... Ottón Solís is a Costa Rican politician. ... The Citizens Action Party (Spanish: Partido Acción Ciudadana; commonly abbreviated as PAC) is a political party in Costa Rica. ... Politics of Costa Rica Categories: Politics stubs | Liberal related stubs | Libertarian parties | Costa Rican political parties | Liberal parties ... Ricardo Toledo is a Costa Rican politician and member of the popular Social Christian Unity Party (PUSC). ... The Social Christian Unity Party (Partido de Unidad Socialcristiana) is a political party in Costa Rica. ... Antonio Álvarez Desanti, usually known simply as Antonio Álvarez, is a politician with the Union for Change Party (UPC) in Costa Rica. ... The Union for Change Party (Partido Unión para el Cambio) is a political party in Costa Rica. ... The National Union Party (Partido Unión Nacional) is a political party in Costa Rica. ... The Homeland First Party (Partido Patria Primero) is a political party in Costa Rica. ... The National Liberation Party (Spanish: Partido Liberación Nacional; commonly abbreviated as PLN) is a political party in Costa Rica. ... The Citizens Action Party (Spanish: Partido Acción Ciudadana; commonly abbreviated as PAC) is a political party in Costa Rica. ... Politics of Costa Rica Categories: Politics stubs | Liberal related stubs | Libertarian parties | Costa Rican political parties | Liberal parties ... The Social Christian Unity Party (Partido de Unidad Socialcristiana) is a political party in Costa Rica. ... The Costa Rican Renovation Party (Partido Renovación Costariccense) is a Christian political party in Costa Rica. ... The National Union Party (Partido Unión Nacional) is a political party in Costa Rica. ... The Union for Change Party (Partido Unión para el Cambio) is a political party in Costa Rica. ... The Homeland First Party (Partido Patria Primero) is a political party in Costa Rica. ... The National Rescue Party (Partido Rescate Nacional) is a political party in Costa Rica. ... Access without Exclusion (Accesibilidad sin Exclusión) is a political party in Costa Rica. ... The Broad Front (Frente Amplio) is a political party in Costa Rica. ...

Judicial branch

Judicial power is exercised by the Supreme Court of Justice, composed of 22 magistrates selected for renewable 8-year terms by the Legislative Assembly, and subsidiary courts. A Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court, established in 1989, reviews the constitutionality of legislation and executive decrees and all habeas corpus warrants.

Footnotes

• Note 1: Costa Rica: Isle Of Tranquillity In an Angry Sea, U.S. News & World Report September 17, 1984, Pg. 40