SAN JOSE: Costa Ricans headed to the polls on Sunday to elect one among two scandal-tainted presidential applicants in a rustic grappling with sky-high poverty and unemployment. Former president Jose Maria Figueres used to be as soon as investigated for corruption whilst ex-finance minister Rodrigo Chaves used to be prior to now demoted for sexual harassment. However with 23 % of the inhabitants residing in poverty and unemployment hovering to fourteen % along a sequence of corruption scandals, Costa Ricans appear extra targeted at the financial system as they elect a successor to Carlos Alvarado.
Costa Rica has been described because the “happiest” nation in Latin The us and praised for its environmental insurance policies and eco-tourism, however the essential tourism trade used to be arduous hit by way of the coronavirus pandemic. Along Peru, it suffered the most important fall in employment figures within the area between 2019 and 2020.
‘We’re very deficient’
“The following president has to modify the whole lot as a result of we’re very deficient. There’s no paintings right here, there’s not anything,” stated Ana Briceno, 64, a commute agent within the capital San Jose. “Within the ultimate years with Carlos Alvarado the placement has been very tricky … so I believe the long run president will have to focal point at the financial system,” stated Cristina Aguilar, 32. Given their earlier troubles, the 2 applicants have sought to stay the talk swirling across the financial system.
“The pressing subject matters to deal with are those inflicting discomfort and struggling to the folk,” stated Chaves, 60, a marvel qualifier for Sunday’s run-off, having polled fourth forward of February’s first spherical. “The primary is the loss of jobs. Secondly, the price of residing.” Chaves, from the newly shaped right-wing Social Democratic Growth Celebration, led the newest opinion polls, with greater than 41 % beef up, in comparison to 38 % for Figueres.
Figueres, 67, who used to be president from 1994-98, is similarly targeted at the financial system. “Within the financial time table, unemployment is an important, the introduction of employment alternatives is the concern,” he stated. Figueres, whose father Jose abolished the military in 1948 when he used to be president, crowned the primary spherical of balloting amongst a crowded box of 25 contenders with 27.3 % forward of Chaves who had 16.8 %. However they have been far from the 40 % had to win outright.
‘Misinterpreted jokes’
Each males have reached this ultimate degree of the election regardless of the threat of previous scandals. Chaves, who spent six months as finance minister within the outgoing govt, used to be investigated over sexual harassment proceedings introduced by way of a couple of girls whilst he used to be a senior legitimate on the Global Financial institution, the place he labored for 30 years. He used to be demoted, regardless that no longer fired, and has disregarded his habits as jokes that have been “misinterpreted because of cultural variations.”
Figueres, who represents the centrist Nationwide Liberation Celebration (PLN), used to be investigated for allegedly taking some $900,000 from French engineering company Alcatel, which has admitted to bribing officers. The ex-president, who labored in another country on the time as govt director of the Global Financial Discussion board (WEF), refused to provide proof within the case in 2004 and returned to Costa Rica best in 2011 when the investigation expired.
Polls opened at 6 am (1200 GMT) and shut 12 hours later. “Presently, I don’t know who I can vote for … as a result of Chaves contradicts himself in the whole lot and given what Figueres did ultimate time, it leaves us unsure,” stated Jairo Montero, 37. Within the not going tournament the election results in a draw, Costa Rican legislation says the elder candidate would win, on this case Figueres. The primary effects have been anticipated at round 8.30 pm. The winner will start a four-year time period on Might 8. – AFP