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'{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2021}} {{Infobox election | election_name = 2022 Costa Rican general election | country = Costa Rica | ongoing = no | previous_election = 2018 Costa Rican general election | previous_year = 2018 | election_date = 6 February 2022 | next_election = <!-- link to file. If red link, then it will not be linked--> | next_year = 2026 | opinion_polls = | module = {{Infobox election | election_name = Presidential election | embed=yes | type = presidential | image1 = | nominee1 = | party1 = Citizens' Action Party (Costa Rica) | running_mate1 = | popular_vote1 = | percentage1 = | home_state1 = | image2 = | nominee2 = | party2 = National Restoration Party (Costa Rica) | colour2 = | running_mate2 = | popular_vote2 = | percentage2 = | home_state2 = | image3 = | nominee3 = | party3 = National Liberation Party (Costa Rica) | colour3 = | running_mate3 = | popular_vote3 = | percentage3 = | home_state3 = | image4 = | nominee4 = | party4 = Social Christian Unity Party | colour4 = | running_mate4 = | popular_vote4 = | percentage4 = | home_state4 = | image5 = | nominee5 = | party5 = National Integration Party (Costa Rica) | colour5 = | running_mate5 = | popular_vote5 = | percentage5 = | home_state5 = | image6 = | nominee6 = | party6 = Social Christian Republican Party | colour6 = | running_mate6 = | popular_vote6 = | percentage6 = | home_state6 = <!-- map --> | title = [[President of Costa Rica|President]] | before_election = [[Carlos Alvarado Quesada]] | before_party = Citizens' Action Party (Costa Rica) | after_election = | after_party = | module = {{Infobox legislative election | embed=yes | election_name = Legislative election | ongoing = yes | party1 = National Liberation Party (Costa Rica) | leader1 = | percentage1 = | seats1 = | last_election1 = 17 | party2 = Citizens' Action Party (Costa Rica) | leader2 = | percentage2 = | seats2 = | last_election2 = 10 | party3 = Social Christian Unity Party | leader3 = | percentage3 = | seats3 = | last_election3 = 9 | party4 = National Restoration Party (Costa Rica) | leader4 = | percentage4 = | seats4 = | last_election4 = 7 | party5 = New Republic Party (Costa Rica) | leader5 = | percentage5 = | seats5 = | last_election5 = 6 | party6 = National Integration Party (Costa Rica) | leader6 = | percentage6 = | seats6 = | last_election6 = 2 | party7 = Social Christian Republican Party | leader7 = | percentage7 = | seats7 = | last_election7 = 1 | party8 = Broad Front (Costa Rica) | leader8 = | percentage8 = | seats8 = | last_election8 =1 | party9 = New Generation Party (Costa Rica) | leader9 = | percentage9 = | seats9 = | last_election9 = 1 | map = | map_caption = }} }} }} {{Politics of Costa Rica}} The 2022 Costan Rican general election is scheduled for Sunday, 6 February 2022, in accordance with the [[Constitution of Costa Rica]], to elect the [[President of Costa Rica|president]], two [[Vice President of Costa Rica|vice-presidents]] and all 57 deputies of the [[Legislative Assembly of Costa Rica|Legislative Assembly]]. If none of the presidential nominees obtained at least 40% of the votes, a second electoral round will be called for Sunday, 3 April of that same year between the two most voted. These will be the eighteenth elections of this type held in the country since the current Constitution is in force. ==Backstory== In the preceding elections, a second electoral round was held for the third time in history when no political party reached 40% of the votes. The two candidates with the most support were the then deputy, journalist, preacher and [[Christian music]] singer [[Fabricio Alvarado Muñoz]] of the conservative [[National Restoration Party (Costa Rica)|National Restoration party]] and the former Minister of Labor, journalist and writer [[Carlos Alvarado Quesada]] of the ruling [[Citizens' Action Party (Costa Rica)|Citizens' Action]]. The election was marked by social and religious issues that included issues such as [[same-sex marriage]], the [[secular state]], and [[sex education]].<ref name=sem>{{cite news|last1=Murillo|first1=Álvaro|last2=Rodríguez|first2=Frank|title=Shock religioso impacta apoyo a candidatos|url=https://www.ciep.ucr.ac.cr/index.php/noticias/77-shock-religioso-impacta-apoyo-a-candidatos|accessdate=25 January 2018|agency=CIEP (UCR)|date=24 January 2018|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180126012746/https://www.ciep.ucr.ac.cr/index.php/noticias/77-shock-religioso-impacta-apoyo-a-candidatos|archivedate=26 January 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Herrera|first1=Kimberly|title=TSE ha recibido 129 denuncias por uso de religión en campaña política|url=https://www.elmundo.cr/tse-ha-recibido-129-denuncias-uso-religion-campana-politica/|accessdate=24 January 2018|agency=Mundo|date=22 January 2018}}</ref> Carlos Alvarado was the winner in the second round by a wide margin; 60 over 39%.<ref name="Garcia">{{cite news|last1=Garcia|first1=David Alire|last2=Pretel|first2=Enrique Andres|title=Costa Rica center-left easily wins presidency in vote fought on gay rights|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-costarica-election/costa-rica-center-left-easily-wins-presidency-in-vote-fought-on-gay-rights-idUSKBN1H80XC|accessdate=2 April 2018|agency=Reuters}}</ref><ref name="Stanley">{{cite news|last1=Stanley|first1=Katherine|title=Carlos Alvarado wins Costa Rica’s presidency in a landslide|url=http://www.ticotimes.net/2018/04/01/carlos-alvarado-will-be-costa-ricas-48th-president|accessdate=2 April 2018|agency=The Tico Times}}</ref> [[Leader of the Opposition (Costa Rica)|Leader of the opposition]] Fabricio Alvarado would resign National Restoration soon after founding a new party named [[New Republic Party (Costa Rica)|New Republic]] and taking 6 out of 14 of Restoration's deputies. ==Popular protests== One of the most controversial aspects of the Alvarado Quesada administration was the approval by the Legislative Assembly of the Law for the Strengthening of Public Finances, popularly known as the [[Tax reform|Fiscal Plan]], which was opposed by both the right and the left, but it was supported by the benches of the majority parties; PLN, PAC and PUSC (ranging from center-right to center-left). Opposition to the project led to the 2018 Costa Rican union strike, one of the largest in recent history, but which did not have the effect of stopping the project. The opposition to the tax reform, however, generated future protests coupled with other issues of discontent from specific sectors. In mid-2019, protests were raised by fishermen, truck drivers and high school students, the latter calling for the resignation of then Minister of Education Edgar Mora and closing national roads. The students demanded, among other things, the end of the FARO tests and the reestablishment of the traditional high school tests, improvement in infrastructure and the departure of Mora, who effectively resigned on 2 July 2019. During the protests, the use of a dynamite explosive during a protest in front of the Presidential House and a [[Molotov cocktails]] in the office of pro-government independent deputy Zoila Volio. The protests were supported by allies as dissimilar as the union movements traditionally associated with the left of leaders such as the unionist Albino Vargas as well as the ultra-conservative [[neo-Pentecostal]] political movement led by the presidential candidate Fabricio Alvarado and by far-right movements.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Avendaño|first1=Manuel|title=El coqueteo político entre Nueva República y Albino Vargas|url=https://www.elfinancierocr.com/economia-y-politica/el-coqueteo-politico-entre-nueva-republica-y/DK6PAYMUDNCKBM24HS3ROFGVUI/story/?utm_campaign=socialflow&utm_source=socialflow&utm_medium=social&fbclid=IwAR1wNkux4-J2I0KJt5VIs2TqD2ZidbJnsO4k1cc6XkTL4hVY5BYD6XsXj7E|accessdate=15 July 2019|agency=La República|date=19 November 2019}}</ref> ==Far-right growth== As in other countries, the phenomenon of the emergence of the extreme right and of movements that claim to be [[Neo-nationalism|nationalist]] and [[irredentist]] appeared in Costa Rica. Different movements associated with ideas of the extreme right and opposed to immigration (especially [[Nicaraguans in Costa Rica|Nicaraguan]]) proliferated in recent years. In 2018, a wave of false news disseminated by Facebook pages with an ultra-right leaning have been identified as responsible for instigating hatred and increasing [[xenophobia]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Mora Pérez|first1=Kenneth|title=El efecto de las noticias falsas o fake news y ¿cómo detectarlas?|url=https://www.tec.ac.cr/hoyeneltec/2018/04/12/efecto-noticias-falsas-fake-news-detectarlas|accessdate=14 July 2019|agency=Hoy en el TEC|date=12 April 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Las 'fake news' en Costa Rica desatan la xenofobia contra los nicaragüenses|accessdate=14 July 2019|agency=El País|date=21 August 2018|url=https://verne.elpais.com/verne/2018/08/21/mexico/1534819250_019538.html}}</ref> The pages falsely spread that Nicaraguan groups had burned the Costa Rican flag (when they It was about Costa Rican anarchists in a demonstration many years before) and who had "taken over" La Merced park in San José (known as a meeting place for immigrants) when in fact a Nicaraguan flag had been temporarily raised to collect food for refugees. A march against Nicaraguan migrants was held on 19 August 2018, in which neo-Nazi groups and hooligans participated.<ref name="q">{{cite news |last1=Rico |title=44 arrested for xenophobic attacks against Nicaraguans in San José |url=https://qcostarica.com/44-arrested-for-xenophobic-attacks-against-nicaraguans-in-san-jose/ |accessdate=2 November 2018 |agency=QCosta Rica |date=18 August 2018}}</ref><ref name="montreal">{{cite news |title=Costa Rica: symboles nazis lors d'une manifestation anti-migrants nicaraguayens |url=https://www.journaldemontreal.com/2018/08/19/costa-rica-symboles-nazis-lors-dune-manifestation-anti-migrants-nicaraguayens |accessdate=2 November 2018 |agency=Journal de Montreal |date=19 August 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Castillo|first1=Bryan|title=‘Neonazis’ e integrantes de barras de fútbol participaron en agresiones a nicaragüenses|url=https://www.lateja.cr/nacional/neonazis-e-integrantes-de-barras-de-futbol/FBAUAQIYMJCIXPQVJSMY2R3WIM/story/|accessdate=25 May 2019|agency=La Teja|date=18 August 2018}}</ref> Although not all the participants were linked to these groups, the protest turned violent and the [[Public Force of Costa Rica|Public Force]] intervened with a balance of 44 arrested, 36 Costa Ricans and the rest Nicaraguans.<ref name="dw">{{cite news |title=Costa Rica: violenta protesta contra inmigración nicaragüense |url=https://www.dw.com/es/costa-rica-violenta-protesta-contra-inmigraci%C3%B3n-nicarag%C3%BCense/a-45134202 |accessdate=2 November 2018 |agency=DW}}</ref> In 2019 Facebook social network pages such as Deputy 58, Costa Rican Resistance and Salvación Costa Rica described as "[[ultra-nationalists]]" and radically opposed to immigration called for an anti-government demonstration on 1 May, with little attendance.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Chinchilla|first1=Aarón|title=Ultranacionalistas costarricenses convocan marcha contra Gobierno en 1 de Mayo|url=https://elperiodicocr.com/ultranacionalistas-costarricenses-convocan-marcha-contra-gobierno-en-1-de-mayo/|accessdate=24 June 2019|agency=El Periódico|date=30 April 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Cartín|first1=Cristian|title=Llaman a concentrarse contra Carlos Alvarado|url=https://www.diarioextra.com/Noticia/detalle/388095/llaman-a-concentrarse--contra-carlos-alvarado|accessdate=24 June 2019|agency=Diario Extra|date=30 April 2019}}</ref> In 2019, a paramilitary group that calls itself the [[July 7 Patriot Front]] comes to light and makes a call through a video whose participants wore masks and fatigue clothes, to carry out a violent coup that would depose the government. Right-wing populist presidential candidate [[Juan Diego Castro]] accused the government of being behind the video and of being a hoax, although this turned out to be false when the judicial authorities discovered those responsible.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Gómez|first1=Dylan|title=Juan Diego Castro sigue pensando que video de grupo armado es un show del PAC|url=https://ncrnoticias.com/nacionales/juan-diego-castro-sigue-pensando-que-video-de-grupo-armado-es-un-show-del-pac/|accessdate=15 July 2019|agency=NCR|date=13 July 2019}}</ref> The group was quickly identified by the police authorities and its leadership was arrested a few days after the incident.<ref name=solano>{{cite news|last1=Solano|first1=Hugo|last2=Salas|first2=Yeryis|title=Líderes de comando que difundía videos incitando a la violencia serán procesados por motín|url=https://www.nacion.com/sucesos/seguridad/policia-captura-a-dos-sospechosos-de-comando/Q2ACESBQZNDEVENIRMUD5HZOOE/story/|accessdate=14 July 2019|agency=La Nación|date=13 July 2019}}</ref> The leaders apparently had links with the ultra-religious far right and the former [[Cobra Command]] that carried out violent activities against [[Indigenous peoples of Costa Rica|indigenous people]] in the 1990s.<ref name=yeryis>{{cite news|last1=Salas|first1=Yeryis|title=Líder del ‘Brazo Armado del Pueblo’ y candidato a alcalde: el historial del detenido por video con amenazas al presidente|url=https://www.nacion.com/sucesos/seguridad/lider-del-brazo-armado-del-pueblo-y-candidato-a/KQDEBBO7WZCMBKFXSNE4URYL5M/story/|accessdate=14 July 2019|agency=La Nación|date=14 July 2019}}</ref><ref name=telet>{{cite news|last1=Quirós|first1=Juan Manuel|title=Minor Masís y la infame historia del Comando Cobra|url=https://teletica.com/230837_minor-masis-y-la-infame-historia-del-comando-cobra|accessdate=14 July 2019|agency=Teletica|date=13 July 2019}}</ref> ==Candidates== Several former candidates who participated in the process have already announced their interest in being candidates again. In most cases, these candidates resigned from the parties for which they tried to obtain the presidency and began the processes of founding new political groups. One of the first to make the announcement was the criminal lawyer, former Minister of Justice and former Grand Master of the [[Freemasonry in Costa Rica|Masonic]] [[Grand Lodge of Costa Rica]] [[Juan Diego Castro Fernández]], who announced the creation of a new party called "Reconstruction" after his unfriendly break with the National Integration Party.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Gutiérrez Wa-Chong|first1=Tatiana|title=Juan Diego Castro anuncia su nuevo partido Reconstrucción CR|url=https://www.larepublica.net/noticia/juan-diego-castro-anuncia-su-nuevo-partido-reconstruccion-cr|accessdate=11 April 2018|agency=La República|date= 17 February 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Montero|first1=Mariela|title=Juan Diego Castro suma fuerzas para crear un nuevo partido político en el país|url=http://www.columbia.co.cr/web/index.php/noticias/nacionales/1593-juan-diego-castro-suma-fuerzas-para-crear-un-nuevo-partido-politico-en-el-pais|accessdate=11 April 2018|agency=Columbia|date= 18 February 2018|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180412001111/http://www.columbia.co.cr/web/index.php/noticias/nacionales/1593-juan-diego-castro-suma-fuerzas-para-crear-un-nuevo-partido-politico-en-el-pais|archivedate=12 April 2018}}</ref> In January 2021 Castro announced that the attempts on founding the new party were cancelled due to logistical difficulties.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Murillo |first1=Alvaro |title=Juan Diego Castro aborta inscripción de su nuevo partido para el 2022 |url=https://semanariouniversidad.com/pais/juan-diego-castro-aborta-inscripcion-de-su-nuevo-partido/ |access-date=5 January 2021 |agency=[[Semanario Universidad]] |date=4 January 2021}}</ref> Natalia Díaz Quintana, former deputy and former presidential candidate for the defunct [[Libertarian Movement (Costa Rica)|Libertarian Movement]] who lost in the primaries of said party to the historic leader [[Otto Guevara Guth]], announced the creation of a new liberal party called [[United We Can|Unidos Podemos]], unrelated to the [[Unidas Podemos|Spanish coalition of the same name]], although similarly using the color purple.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Alfaro|first1=Josué|title=Natalia Díaz intentará impulsar un nuevo partido liberal, aunque "menos radical"|url=https://semanariouniversidad.com/pais/natalia-diaz-intentara-impulsar-un-nuevo-partido-liberal-aunque-menos-radical/|accessdate=29 October 2018|agency=Semanario Universidad|date=24 May 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Herrera|first1=Kimberly|title=Natalia Díaz fundará nuevo partido "Unidos Podemos"|url=https://www.elmundo.cr/natalia-diaz-fundara-nuevo-partido-unidos-podemos/|accessdate=29 October 2018|agency=Mundo|date=23 April 2018}}</ref> Díaz had previously resigned from the Libertarian and even gave his adhesion to the candidate of the [[National Liberation Party (Costa Rica)|National Liberation Party]] [[Antonio Álvarez Desanti]] in the [[2018 Costa Rican general election|2018 election]]. [[Otto Guevara]] himself has announced that he does not rule out a sixth presidential candidacy, although due to the critical financial situation affected by all kinds of debts carried after the serious electoral setbacks suffered in the past campaigns, Guevara founded another new party named Liberal Union.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Pérez|first1=Karla|title=Otto Guevara no descarta sexta candidatura a la presidencia en 2022|url=https://www.elmundo.cr/otto-guevara-no-descarta-sexta-candidatura-la-presidencia-2022/|accessdate=29 October 2018|agency=Mundo|date=6 February 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Arrieta|first1=Esteban|title=Otto Guevara piensa en nuevo partido y desaparecer deudas de un plumazo|url=https://www.larepublica.net/noticia/otto-guevara-piensa-en-nuevo-partido-y-desaparecer-deudas-de-un-plumazo|accessdate=29 October 2018|agency=La República|date=22 March 2018}}</ref> Fabricio Alvarado, who was one of the most voted candidates in the previous election, announced his separation from the party for which he was a deputy and candidate through his Facebook account and the creation of a new political party called [[New Republic Party (Costa Rica)|Nueva República]], assuring is a now secular party, not religious one as Restauración.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Madrigal |first1=Luis |title=Fabricio Alvarado renuncia a Restauración Nacional: "Su cúpula me vio como una amenaza" |url=https://delfino.cr/2018/10/fabricio-alvarado-renuncia-a-restauracion-nacional-su-cupula-me-vio-como-una-amenaza/?fbclid=IwAR0JUSRKfPuqy7H9rlUrgIkpPJr32fQfgDS08o9tSrPcBSNUg6lOBzTOqZQ |website=Delfino |accessdate=24 October 2018}}</ref> ===Citizens' Action Party=== In the Citizens' Action Party, rumors were heard about possible nominations by the president of the [[Costa Rican Social Security Fund]], Román Macaya Hayes and the ambassador to Spain and former vice president [[Ana Helena Chacón]], however, Macaya denied it through a press release and Chacón assured that she could not refer to the matter due to her current position.<ref name=ruiz /> The Costa Rican Constitution establishes that the President may not run for immediate reelection. Furthermore, Ministers and Executive Presidents of the autonomous institutions have to resign at least twelve months before the election is held in case they wish to run for office.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Quirós |first1=Bharley |title=Solo queda un mes para renuncia de jerarcas que aspiren a la presidencia o vicepresidencia de la República |url=https://www.diarioextra.com/Noticia/detalle/438069/solo-queda-un-mes-para-renuncia-de-jerarcas |website=Diario Extra |access-date=17 February 2021}}</ref> ====Potential candidacies==== As of February 2021, the following people have publicly expressed interest about potentially pursuing candidacy * Marta Zamora Castillo, PAC co-founder, [[Legislative Assembly of Costa Rica|Former deputy]] from [[Alajuela Province|Alajuela]] (2002-2006)<ref>{{cite web |last1=Arrieta |first1=Esteban |title=Exdiputada del PAC Martha Zamora se convierte en primera mujer en postularse para 2022 |url=https://www.larepublica.net/noticia/exdiputada-del-pac-martha-zamora-se-convierte-en-primera-mujer-en-postularse-para-2022 |website=La República |access-date=17 February 2021}}</ref> * [[Hernán Solano Venegas]], Former Minister of Sport and Recreation (2014-2021), Vice-Minister of Youth (2002-2006). <ref>{{cite web |last1=Madrigal |first1=Rebeca |title=Ministro de Deportes renuncia para aspirar a la candidatura del PAC en las próximas elecciones |url=https://www.nacion.com/el-pais/politica/ministro-de-deportes-renuncia-para-aspirar-a-la/MWU4NRT2PVELVH7GGC3RJRQPGA/story/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter |website=La Nación |access-date=17 February 2021}}</ref> <gallery mode="packed" heights="160"> File:Marta Zamora Castillo.png|{{center|Former Deputy<br>'''Marta Zamora Castillo'''<br>from [[Alajuela Province|Alajuela]]}} File:Hernán Solano Venegas (cropped).png|{{center|Former Minister<br>'''[[Hernán Solano Venegas]]'''<br>from [[San José Province|San José]]}} </gallery> =====Other potential candidates===== * [[Ana Helena Chacón Echeverría]], Costa Rican Ambassador in Spain (2018-present day), Former Vicepresident (2014-2018), [[Legislative Assembly of Costa Rica|Former deputy]] from [[San José Province|San José]] (2006-2010)<ref>{{cite web |last1=Gutiérrez |first1=María José |title=Cuatro mujeres se mencionan con posibilidades de ser candidatas presidenciales |url=https://www.elmundo.cr/costa-rica/cuatro-mujeres-se-mencionan-candidatas-presidenciales/ |website=elmundo.cr |access-date=17 February 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Arrieta |first1=Esteban |title=Usuarios de Internet firman petición para pedirle a Ana Helena Chacón que se postule a la Presidencia |url=https://www.larepublica.net/noticia/usuarios-de-internet-firman-peticion-para-pedirle-a-ana-helena-chacon-que-se-postule-a-la-presidencia?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook |website=La República |access-date=17 February 2021}}</ref> * Carolina Hidalgo Herrera, [[List of presidents of the Legislative Assembly of Costa Rica|President]] of the [[Legislative Assembly of Costa Rica|Legislative Assembly]] (2018-2019) from [[Alajuela Province|Alajuela]]<ref>{{cite web |last1=Arrieta |first1=Esteban |title=Diputada Carolina Hidalgo del PAC piensa en postularse para la presidencia |url=https://www.larepublica.net/noticia/diputada-carolina-hidalgo-del-pac-piensa-en-postularse-para-la-presidencia?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwAR1y6J9L7AgIY7Xh4n03LKTB1v1haOIkPzLEFin1r8uZ0yDZ9bzceASlC5c#Echobox=1612538650 |website=La República |access-date=17 February 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Arrieta |first1=Esteban |title=Carolina Hidalgo: “Quiero inspirar a otras mujeres para abrir más espacios en la política” |url=https://www.larepublica.net/noticia/carolina-hidalgo-con-mi-postulacion-quiero-inspirar-a-otras-mujeres-para-abrir-mas-espacios-en-la-politica?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwAR2tq6ARB25s3mWYnzvhSPCF9El1S2fz4SUA1fBUf9dma7c2DChV9wnGUm0#Echobox=1612799852 |website=La República |access-date=17 February 2021}}</ref> * [[Welmer Ramos González]], [[Legislative Assembly of Costa Rica|Deputy]] (2018-present day) from [[Heredia Province|Heredia]], precandidate in [[2018 Costa Rican general election|2018]]<ref>{{cite web |last1=Pérez |first1=Wendy |title=Welmer Ramos no descarta ser precandidato en el PAC |url=https://www.elmundo.cr/elecciones-2022/welmer-ramos-no-descarta-ser-precandidato-en-el-pac/ |website=elmundo.cr |access-date=17 February 2021}}</ref> <gallery mode="packed" heights="160"> File:Ana Helena Chacón Echeverría (cropped).png|{{center|Former Vicepresident<br>'''[[Ana Helena Chacón Echeverría]]'''<br>from [[San José Province|San José]]}} File:Carolina-hidalgo-herrera 28174941148 o (cropped).png|{{center|Former President of the Legislative Assembly<br>'''Carolina Hidalgo Herrera'''<br>from [[Alajuela Province|Alajuela]]}} File:Welmer-ramos-gonzalez 41148243775 o (cropped).png|{{center|Deputy<br>'''[[Welmer Ramos González]]'''<br>from [[Heredia Province|Heredia]]}} </gallery> =====Declined to be candidates===== * [[Román Macaya Hayes]], Executive President of the [[Costa Rican Social Security Fund]], Former Ambassador to the United States (2014-2018), precandidate in [[2010 Costa Rican general election|2010]]. <ref>{{cite web |last1=Mora |first1=Andrea |title=Román Macaya y Daniel Salas descartan candidatura presidencial para 2022 |url=https://delfino.cr/2021/01/roman-macaya-y-daniel-salas-descartan-candidatura-presidencial-para-2022 |website=Delfino.cr |access-date=17 February 2021}}</ref> * Daniel Salas Peraza, Minister of Health (2018-present day). <ref>{{cite web |last1=Mora |first1=Andrea |title=Román Macaya y Daniel Salas descartan candidatura presidencial para 2022 |url=https://delfino.cr/2021/01/roman-macaya-y-daniel-salas-descartan-candidatura-presidencial-para-2022 |website=Delfino.cr |access-date=17 February 2021}}</ref> * Laura Guido Pérez, [[Legislative Assembly of Costa Rica|Deputy]] (2018-present day) from [[Cartago Province|Cartago]] ===National Liberation Party=== It is rumored that former president [[José María Figueres Olsen]] would run in a second attempt to be reelected, since last season he tried to achieve the presidential nomination of the National Liberation Party being defeated in the [[National Liberation Party presidential primary, 2017|2017 primaries]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Ruiz|first1=Gerardo|title=Figueres baja tono|url=https://www.crhoy.com/mundo/mundo-politica/figueres-baja-tono-a-tempranas-aspiraciones-electorales/|accessdate=14 July 2019|agency=CRHoy|date=12 January 2019}}</ref> Although some rumors suggest that he could seek the presidency through another party founded for this purpose by [[figuerismo]]. In July 2019, the former president lashed out at the government and was the only one of the former presidents who did not sign a letter calling for peaceful dialogue, harshly criticizing not only the current government but also the administrations of the National Liberation and Christian Social Unity parties, describing them as "PLUSC", a traditional pejorative term towards Costa Rica's [[two party system]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Madrigal|first1=Rebeca|title=Memoria vuelve a traicionar a José María Figueres|url=https://www.nacion.com/el-pais/politica/memoria-vuelve-a-traicionar-a-jose-maria-figueres/CJDPQFUJGZDWTN4NSKZ7SYAHTI/story/|accessdate=14 July 2019|agency=La Nación|date=13 July 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Madrigal|first1=Rebeca|title=Figueres: ‘Me identifico con el malestar nacional’ por los problemas que nacieron en los últimos cuatro gobiernos|url=https://www.nacion.com/el-pais/politica/figueres-me-identifico-con-el-malestar-nacional/GIVK72NRFJHONKVEDFGDI36BFQ/story/|accessdate=14 July 2019|agency=La Nación|date=4 July 2019}}</ref> Among those who have expressed their interest in being presidential candidates are;<ref name=ruiz>{{cite news|last1=Ruiz|first1=Paula|title=Figuras políticas anuncian su interés por postularse como precandidatos presidenciales|url=https://observador.cr/figuras-politicas-anuncian-su-interes-por-postularse-como-precandidatos-presidenciales/?fbclid=IwAR0TW50EE4Jn9oRa0Xj4oJUkjC2V55Lcr3h4iUHetFnKpdIIXKjHoElEHVs|accessdate=7 December 2020|agency=El Observador|date=6 December 2020}}</ref> on the National Liberation Party (the main opposition): the former presidential candidate in 2018 [[Antonio Álvarez Desanti]], the former president of the party and former president of the [[National Insurance Institute]] Guillermo Costenla, the former secretary general and lawyer Fernando Zamora and the economist Gerardo Corrales. The former president José María Figueres Olsen, congresswoman Franggi Nicolás and former [[Prime Minister of Costa Rica|prime minister]] Rodrigo Arias Sánchez, brother of the former president and [[Nobel Peace Prize winner]] [[Óscar Arias]], have also been rumored, although not confirmed.<ref name=ruiz /> ====Potential candidates==== =====Publicly expressed interest===== As of February 2021, the following people have publicly expressed interest about potentially pursuing candidacy * Fernando Zamora Castellanos, Secretary General of National Liberation Party (2014-2018) from [[San José Province|San José]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://crc891.com/fernando-zamora-confirma-que-peleara-candidatura-del-pln/|title=Fernando Zamora confirma que peleará candidatura del PLN|date=February 3, 2021|first=|last=|work=CRC89.1}}</ref> * Claudio Alpízar Otoya, Political Scientist, university professor and conferecist from [[San José Province|San José]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.larepublica.net/noticia/claudio-alpizar-lanza-precandidatura-con-el-pln-para-cambiar-costa-rica|title=Claudio Alpízar lanza precandidatura con el PLN para cambiar Costa Rica y levanta polémica|date=February 1, 2021|first=|last=|work=La República}}</ref> * Guillermo Constenla Umaña, San José Deputy (1998-2002), [[Ministry of Public Works and Transport (Costa Rica)|Minister of Public Works and Transport]] from [[San José Province|San José]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.elmundo.cr/elecciones-2022/guillermo-constenla-se-inscribe-como-precandidato-presidencial-por-el-pln/|title=Guillermo Constenla se inscribe como precandidato presidencial por el PLN|date=February 2, 2021|first=|last=|work=elmundo.cr}}</ref> * [[Rolando Araya Monge]], San José Deputy (1974-1978), presidential candidate in [[2002 Costa Rican general election|2002]] and [[2010 Costa Rican general election|2010]] from [[San José Province|San José]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.elmundo.cr/costa-rica/rolando-araya-definira-en-los-proximos-dias-si-se-presenta-como-precandidato-en-el-pln/|title=Rolando Araya definirá en los próximos días si se presenta como precandidato en el PLN|date=February 3, 2021|first=|last=|work=elmundo.cr}}</ref> * Roberto Thompson Chacón, Alajuela Deputy (2018-present day), former mayor of [[Alajuela (canton)|Alajuela]] (2010-2018) from [[Alajuela Province|Alajuela]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.larepublica.net/noticia/roberto-thompson-confirma-aspiraciones-presidenciales-por-liberacion|title=Roberto Thompson confirma aspiraciones presidenciales por Liberación|date=February 15, 2021|first=|last=|work=La República}}</ref> <gallery mode="packed" heights="160"> File:Fernando Zamora Castellanos.png|{{center|Lawyer and former Secretary General<br>'''Fernando Zamora Castellanos'''<br>from [[San José Province|San José]]}} File:Claudio Alpízar Otoya.png|{{center|Political Scientist<br>'''Claudio Alpízar Otoya'''<br>from [[San José Province|San José]]}} File:Guillermo Constenla Umaña.png|{{center|Former deputy and Minister<br>'''Guillermo Constenla Umaña'''<br>from [[San José Province|San José]]}} File:Rolando Araya (cropped) (2).png|{{center|Former deputy and presidential candidate<br>'''[[Rolando Araya Monge]]'''<br>from [[San José Province|San José]]}} File:Roberto-hernan-thompson-chacon 40240717390 o (cropped).png|{{center|Deputy and former mayor<br>'''Roberto Thompson Chacón'''<br>from [[Alajuela Province|Alajuela]]}} </gallery> =====Other potential candidates===== As of February 2021, the following people have been subjects of significant speculation about their potential candidacy within the previous six months. *[[Antonio Álvarez Desanti]], [[List of presidents of the Legislative Assembly of Costa Rica|President]] of the [[Legislative Assembly of Costa Rica|Legislative Assembly]] (1995-1996), (2016-2017), presidential candidate in [[2006 Costa Rican general election|2006]] and [[2018 Costa Rican general election|2018]] from [[San José Province|San José]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.elmundo.cr/costa-rica/alvarez-desanti-confirma-que-buscara-ser-precandidato-presidencial/|title=Álvarez Desanti confirma que buscará ser precandidato presidencial|date=December 9, 2020|first=|last=|work=elmundo.cr}}</ref> *[[José María Figueres Olsen]], [[List of presidents of Costa Rica|Former president]] (1994-1998) from [[San José Province|San José]], precandidate in [[2018 Costa Rican general election|2018]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.elmundo.cr/costa-rica/jose-maria-figueres-da-indicios-de-que-podria-participar-como-candidato-presidencial/|title=José María Figueres da indicios de que podría participar como candidato presidencial|date=February 3, 2021|first=|last=|work=elmundo.cr}}</ref> *Rodrigo Arias Sánchez, [[Minister of the Presidency of Costa Rica|Former Minister of the Presidency]] (1986-1990;2006-2010), [[Legislative Assembly of Costa Rica|Former deputy]] (1986-1990) from [[Heredia Province|Heredia]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.diarioextra.com/Noticia/detalle/427964/rodrigo-arias-tendr-a-inter-s-en-ser-presidente|title=Rodrigo Arias tendría interés en ser presidente|date=September 4, 2020|first=|last=|work=Diario Extra}}</ref> *Carlos Ricardo Benavides Jiménez, [[Minister of the Presidency of Costa Rica|Former Minister of the Presidency]] (2011-2014), [[List of presidents of the Legislative Assembly of Costa Rica|President]] of the [[Legislative Assembly of Costa Rica|Legislative Assembly]] (2019-2020) from [[San José Province|San José]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.monumental.co.cr/2020/11/24/carlos-ricardo-benavides-decidira-en-enero-si-lanza-precandidatura-presidencial-de-cara-a-elecciones-del-2022/|title=Carlos Ricardo Benavides decidirá en enero si lanza precandidatura presidencial de cara a elecciones del 2022|date=February 3, 2021|first=|last=|work=Monumental}}</ref> *Rolando González Ulloa, [[Legislative Assembly of Costa Rica|Former deputy]] (1994-1998; 2014-2018), precandidate in [[2018 Costa Rican general election|2018]] from [[Alajuela Province|Alajuela]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://observador.cr/exdiputado-rolando-gonzalez-interesado-en-una-precandidatura-presidencial-con-el-pln/|title=Exdiputado Rolando González interesado en una precandidatura presidencial con el PLN|date=February 3, 2021|first=|last=|work=El Observador}}</ref> *Franggi Nicolás Solano, [[Legislative Assembly of Costa Rica|Deputy]] (2018-present day) from [[Puntarenas Province|Puntarenas]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.repretel.com/noticia/13-diputados-valoran-posible-candidatura-presidencial/|title=13 Diputados valoran posible candidatura presidencial|date=February 4, 2021|first=|last=|work=Repretel}}</ref> *Walter Herrera Cantillo, Economist and Electrical Engineer<ref>{{cite web|url=https://observador.cr/precandidaturas-agitan-las-aguas-electorales-en-el-pln/|title=Precandidaturas agitan las aguas electorales en el PLN|date=February 3, 2021|first=Paula|last=Ruiz|work=El Observador}}</ref> <gallery mode="packed" heights="130"> File:Antonio Álvarez Desanti.png|{{center|[[Legislative Assembly of Costa Rica|Former President of the Legislative Assembly]]<br>'''[[Antonio Álvarez Desanti]]'''<br>from [[San José Province|San José]]}} File:José María Figueres speaking at Brookings Institution (cropped).png|{{center|Former President<br>'''[[José María Figueres Olsen]]'''<br>from [[San José Province|San José]]}} File:Rodrigo Arias Sánchez (cropped).png|{{center|Former Minister and Deputy<br>'''Rodrigo Arias Sánchez'''<br>from [[Heredia Province|Heredia]]}} File:Carlos-ricardo-benavides-jimenez 28174943148 o (cropped).png|{{center|Former Minister and Preident of the Legislative Assembly<br>'''Carlos Benavides Jiménez'''<br>from [[San José Province|San José]]}} File:Rolando González Ulloa.png|{{center|Former Deputy<br>'''Rolando González Ulloa'''<br>from [[Alajuela Province|Alajuela]]}} File:Franggi-nicolas-solano 42004175612 o (cropped).png|{{center|Deputy<br>'''Franggi Nicolás Solano'''<br>from [[Puntarenas Province|Puntarenas]]}} </gallery> =====Declined to be candidates===== *[[Laura Chinchilla Miranda]], [[List of presidents of Costa Rica|Former president]] (2010-2014)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.larepublica.net/noticia/laura-chinchilla-descarta-postularse-para-2022|title=Laura Chinchilla descarta postularse para 2022|date=September 4, 2020|first=Esteban|last=Arrieta|work=La República}}</ref> *[[Óscar Arias Sánchez]], [[List of presidents of Costa Rica|Former president]] (1986-1990;2006-2010)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ameliarueda.com/nota/oscar-arias-descarta-candidatura-presidencial-noticias-costa-rica|title=Oscar Arias descarta candidatura: "Estoy y estaré completamente retirado de la política electoral"|date=February 3, 2021|first=Antonio|last=Jiménez|work=Amelia Rueda}}</ref> *Gerardo Corrales Brenes, Economist, banker and businessman<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.larepublica.net/noticia/gerardo-corrales-no-se-postulara-para-la-presidencia-por-el-pln|title=Gerardo Corrales no se postulará para la presidencia por el PLN|date=February 12, 2021|first=Esteban|last=Arrieta|work=La República}}</ref> At the beginning of 2020, Pedro Muñoz Fonseca president of [[Social Christian Unity Party]], Mario Redondo Poveda of the [[Christian Democratic Alliance (Costa Rica)|Christian Democratic Alliance]] and Otto Guevara Guth of the Liberal Union began negotiations for the creation of a liberal right-wing coalition with the self-proclaimed goal of preventing a third consecutive PAC government.<ref name=rep>{{cite news|last1=Arrieta|first1=Esteban|title=Coalición liberal 2022 toma forma|url=https://www.larepublica.net/noticia/coalicion-liberal-2022-toma-forma?fbclid=IwAR2F-jKPwMLj9b4IEm1P5BqBUikDbvYYTM2-tTSkuXmka0bC3I_yfDgZ3-s|accessdate=25 February 2020|agency=La República|date=25 February 2020}}</ref> Although Natalia Díaz Quintana of Unidos Podemos was invited, she declined to participate preferring to go to the elections alone. The participation of Eliécer Feinzaig Mintz of the [[Liberal Progressive Party (Costa Rica, 2016)|Liberal Progressive Party]] in the negotiations was reported in principle, but representatives of the party denied it later.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Arrieta|first1=Esteban|title=Eli Feinzaig: "Una coalición liberal debe tener programa y objetivos claros"|url=https://www.larepublica.net/noticia/eli-feinzaig-una-coalicion-liberal-debe-tener-programa-y-objetivos-claros|accessdate=27 February 2020|agency=La República|date= 25 February 2020}}</ref> The deputy of Romanian origin [[Dragos Dolanescu Valenciano]] announced his presidential candidacy through a new political formation called Fair Costa Rica after his departure from the [[Social Christian Republican Party|Republican Social Christian Party]] following accusations of alleged financial misstatement lodged by the party's Executive Committee against him in the General Prosecutor's office.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Quesada|first1=Daniel|title=Dragos Dolanescu crea nuevo partido "Costa Rica Justa"|url=https://www.radiosantaclara.cr/dragos-dolanescu-crea-nuevo-partido-costa-rica-justa/|accessdate=18 July 2020|agency=Radio Santa Clara|date=13 July 2020}}</ref> Pedro Múñoz, deputy, and lawyer Roberto Suñol have confirmed for the Partido Unidad Social Cristiana.<ref name=ruiz /> The two former candidates Rodolfo Piza Rocafort and Rafael Ortiz Fábrega are in diplomatic posts abroad.<ref name=ruiz /> In National Restoration, a party that played an important role in the last election, but whose candidate on that occasion quit the party, current [[President of the Legislative Assembly of Costa Rica|President of the Legislative Assembly]] Eduardo Cruickshank is rumored as a possible candidate.<ref name=ruiz /> While Sergio Mena Díaz would be repeating for the third time the presidential candidacy with double nomination for deputy also for the third time by the right-wing [[New Generation Party (Costa Rica)|New Generation Party]]. ==Opinion polling== {{Graph:Chart |width=800 |height=300 |xAxisTitle=Date |yAxisTitle=% |legend=Parties |type=line |interpolate=bundle |xType=date |xAxisMax=1614016000000 |yAxisMin=0 |showSymbols=1.5 |xGrid=1 |yGrid=1 |x=2018/02/04, 2019/05/29, 2021/01/08, 2021/02/18 |y1Title=Other/None |y1= 37.04, 57, 55.5, 57,4 |y2Title=PLN |y2= 18.63, 21, 19.5, 20,9 |y3Title=PAC |y3= 21.63, 10, 5.7, 7,5 |y4Title=PUSC |y4= 15.99, 6, 9.6, 5,7 |y5Title=PRN |y5= 24.99, 3, 1.8 |y6Title=FA |y6= 0.78, 1, 3.1 |y7Title=PNR |y7= , , 0.9, 3,3 |y8Title=PIN |y8= 9.54, , 0.6 |y9Title=PRSC |y9= 4.94, , 0.5 |y10Title=PNG |y10= 0.76, , 0.1 |colors=#dddddd,#008024,#FFD700,#0000bf,#0059CF,#ffee59,#6495ED,#122562,#e30000,#00a1b3 }} {| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;font-size:90%;line-height:14px;" ! rowspan="2"| Pollster/client(s) ! data-sort-type="number" rowspan="2"| Date(s)<br>conducted ! class="unsortable" style="width:50px;"| [[Broad Front (Costa Rica)|FA]] ! class="unsortable" style="width:50px;"| [[Citizens' Action Party (Costa Rica)|PAC]] ! class="unsortable" style="width:50px;"| [[National Integration Party (Costa Rica)|PIN]] ! class="unsortable" style="width:50px;"| [[National Liberation Party (Costa Rica)|PLN]] ! class="unsortable" style="width:50px;"| [[New Generation Party (Costa Rica)|PNG]] ! class="unsortable" style="width:50px;"| [[New Republic Party (Costa Rica)|PNR]] ! class="unsortable" style="width:50px;"| [[National Restoration Party (Costa Rica)|PREN]] ! class="unsortable" style="width:50px;"| [[Social Christian Republican Party|PRSC]] ! class="unsortable" style="width:50px;"| [[Social Christian Unity Party|PUSC]] ! class="unsortable" rowspan="2"| Other ! class="unsortable" rowspan="2"| None ! data-sort-type="number" rowspan="2"| Lead |- ! data-sort-type="number" style="background:#ffee59;"| ! data-sort-type="number" style="background:#ffd700;"| ! data-sort-type="number" style="background:#122562;"| ! data-sort-type="number" style="background:#008024;"| ! data-sort-type="number" style="background:#00a1b3;"| ! data-sort-type="number" style="background:#6495ED;"| ! data-sort-type="number" style="background:#0059cf;"| ! data-sort-type="number" style="background:#e30000;"| ! data-sort-type="number" style="background:#0000bf;"| |- |[https://www.ameliarueda.com/nota/mayoria-de-costarricenses-no-sabe-por-quien-votar-elecciones-costa-rica?fbclid=IwAR1WVfrthpSjqxAjOVSv5kGmKlQ9hErGVZP7tS2WQLUE88xRZj5QdJjYF7w Borge y Asociados/''Amelia Rueda''] |6 - 18 Feb 2021 | | 7,5% | | style="background:#99cca7" |'''20,9%''' | | 3.3% | | | 5,7% | colspan=2| 57,4% | style="background:#008024; color:white" | |- |[https://elguardian.cr/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Informe-encuesta-enero-2021.pdf OPol/''El Guardián CR''] |6 - 8 Jan 2021 | 3.1% | 5.7% | 0.6% | style="background:#99cca7" |'''19.5%''' | 0.1% | 0.9% | 1.8% | 0.5% | 9.6% | colspan=2| 55.5% | style="background:#008024; color:white" | 9.9% |- |[https://www.diarioextra.com/Noticia/detalle/390280/pln-retoma-fuerza-entre-electores-?fbclid=IwAR0B1h8rB2IxtceMLusdShZphGL6y793bgLldjPvU1VH4urifGhjQJ7m3uc CID Gallup/''Diario Extra''] |29 May 2019 | 1% | 10% | - | style="background:#99cca7" |'''21%''' | - | - | 3% | - | 6% | colspan=2| 57% | style="background:#008024; color:white" | 11% |- |- style="background:#E9E9E9;" | colspan="1" |[[2020 Costa Rican municipal elections|2020 municipal elections]] |2 Feb 2020 | 2.09% | 7.34% | 2.38% | style="background:#99cca7" | '''31.42%''' | 4.69% | 5.46% | 3.99% | 4.25% | 17.35% | 21.03% | 63.07%{{efn|Abstention on election day}} | style="background:#008024;color:#FFFFFF;"| 14.07% |- | style="border-right-style:hidden;" | | style="border-right-style:hidden;" | 30 Jan 2019 | colspan="12" |'''[[Fabricio Alvarado]] leaves National Restoration Party and creates the [[New Republic Party (Costa Rica)|New Republic Party]]''' |- style="background:#E9E9E9;" | colspan="1" |[[2018 Costa Rican general election|2018 election]] |4 Feb 2018 | 0.78% | 21.63% | 9.54% | 18.63% | 0.76% | - | style="background:#99bceb" | '''24.99%''' | 4.94% | 15.99% | 2.74% | 34.30%{{efn|Abstention on election day}} | style="background:#0059cf;color:#FFFFFF;"| 3.36% |- |} ==Notes== {{notelist}} ==References== {{Reflist|2}} {{Costa Rican elections}} [[Category:2022 elections in Central America]] [[Category:2022 in Costa Rica]] [[Category:February 2022 events in North America]]'