Archive · 22 Jan 2026
Costa Rica ruling party leads polls ahead of February elections
In Costa Rica, a poll shows that Laura Fernandez, the candidate from the ruling party, is likely to win the upcoming presidential election in the first round with 40% support.
This could also help her party win a majority in the legislature.
The current president, Rodrigo Chaves, is popular but can't run again.
He supports Fernandez and wants to continue his policies.
The opposition candidates, like Alvaro Ramos, are far behind in the polls.
The election is on February 1, and officials are encouraging people to vote to avoid a low turnout like in 2022.
The ruling party is focusing on crime reduction and economic improvements, while the opposition is worried about the president's influence and potential authoritarian actions.
Laura Fernandez, the ruling party candidate, leads with 40% support in a University of Costa Rica poll, potentially avoiding a runoff.
President Rodrigo Chaves, who cannot run again, supports Fernandez and aims to continue his policies through her.
Opposition candidates, including frontrunner Alvaro Ramos, lag significantly with only 8% support.
Chaves faces allegations of campaign interference and is accused by opposition groups of authoritarian tendencies.
The ruling party emphasizes crime reduction and economic improvements, while opposition groups express concerns about Chaves' influence.
- Who
- Laura Fernandez, a candidate from Costa Rica's ruling party, and opposition candidates including Alvaro Ramos
- What
- A presidential election in Costa Rica
- When
- February 1
- Where
- Costa Rica
- Why
- To elect a new president and potentially determine the legislative majority for the 2026–2030 term
- Candidate
- Laura Fernandez
- Support
- 40%
- Polling Period
- January 12–16
- Margin of Error
- 3 percentage points
- Opposition Frontrunner
- Alvaro Ramos
- Opposition Support
- 8%
- Voter Turnout
- 3.7 million eligible voters
- Incumbent President
- Rodrigo Chaves