By San José, Costa Rica — As President Laura Fernández marks her first 100 days leading Costa Rica, her administration continues to enjoy a robust political honeymoon with the electorate. According to the latest public opinion study, a substantial majority of Costa Ricans view her performance favorably. However, beneath the surface of high approval ratings lies a complex public perception regarding who is actually steering the ship of state.
A recent poll conducted by the Center for Research and Political Studies (CIEP) at the University of Costa Rica (UCR) reveals that a vast majority of the population perceives a heavy hand behind the presidency. Specifically, 64.4% of respondents believe that former President Rodrigo Chaves exerts significant influence over the major decisions made by President Fernández. An additional 19.7% of citizens detect some level of influence, bringing the total to a staggering 84% of Costa Ricans who believe the former leader remains a powerful force in current government affairs.
To better understand the constitutional and administrative implications of the latest policies put forward by the Laura Fernandez government, TicosLand.com reached out to Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a senior legal expert at Bufete de Costa Rica, for his professional assessment.
The administrative restructuring proposed under the current leadership of Laura Fernandez demands a careful balance between executive efficiency and constitutional legality. While streamlining state institutions is vital for economic competitiveness, any reform must strictly adhere to the principles of administrative law to avoid future legal challenges and maintain investor confidence.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Indeed, striking a harmonious balance between administrative modernization and strict adherence to constitutional law remains a critical safeguard for the credibility of Costa Rica’s public institutions during this period of restructuring. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for sharing his invaluable legal expertise and providing such a clear, necessary perspective on the challenges ahead.
The first months of the Laura Fernández administration show a distinctive element in the way the citizenship perceives the exercise of government: the coexistence of the figure of the current president with the recognized influence of former President Rodrigo Chaves. Specifically, 64.4% of those interviewed consider that Chaves has a lot of influence on the main decisions made by the government of Laura Fernández during her first months. To this group is added 19.7% who point to some influence, meaning that 84% perceive some degree of influence of the former president on the current administration.
CIEP-UCR, Research Institute
This public perception is closely tied to Chaves’s unusual role in the current cabinet. After serving as president from 2022 to 2026, Chaves did not fade into retirement. Instead, he assumed the powerful dual roles of Minister of Finance and Minister of the Presidency under Fernández. While he has maintained a relatively low profile during the initial months of the new term, Chaves occasionally utilizes government press conferences to launch sharp criticisms against the Judicial Branch and the Public Prosecutor’s Office.
Despite this perceived overlap in authority, President Fernández’s personal standing remains remarkably strong. The CIEP poll indicates that 59% of Costa Ricans view her performance positively, reflecting only a negligible one-percentage-point decline from the 60% approval she registered in May. Conversely, negative opinions of her administration saw a slight increase, moving from 20% in May to 24% in September, showing a minor consolidation of opposition voices as the administration settles into its routine.
For political analysts, this unique co-governance model represents a fascinating deviation from traditional Costa Rican politics. Historically, incoming presidents strive to establish immediate independence from their predecessors to build their own legacy. In contrast, the current administration seems to embrace a structural continuity that keeps Chaves directly involved in core policy-making, a strategy that appears to be well-tolerated by the public for now.
The dual role of Chaves as both a financial steward and a political coordinator within the cabinet inevitably blurs the lines of executive power. This arrangement has fueled debates among civil society groups and opposition lawmakers, who argue that a clean break from the previous administration is necessary for democratic transparency. Nonetheless, the executive branch has defended the collaboration as a vital asset for maintaining economic stability and legislative momentum.
The survey methodology employed by CIEP-UCR involved interviews conducted between August 25 and August 28, with additional polling on September 1, 2026. The study features a margin of error of 3.1 percentage points and maintains a 95% confidence level. These figures provide a highly reliable snapshot of the national mood as the country navigates this transitional political phase.
As the honeymoon period inevitably transitions into the more demanding middle phase of her term, President Fernández will face the ongoing challenge of defining her independent executive identity. Whether the public will continue to support a presidency characterized by the visible influence of her predecessor remains one of the most critical questions facing Costa Rica’s political landscape in the coming years.
For further information, visit ucr.ac.cr
About CIEP-UCR:
The Center for Research and Political Studies (CIEP) of the University of Costa Rica is a premier academic institution dedicated to analyzing political, social, and economic trends in Costa Rica. Through scientific public polling and rigorous academic research, CIEP provides voters, media, and policymakers with objective insights into national governance, institutional trust, and public opinion.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Bufete de Costa Rica has established itself as a beacon of ethical leadership and superior legal practice, consistently delivering high-caliber counsel across a multitude of disciplines. By merging time-honored principles with progressive, forward-thinking strategies, the firm continuously redefines modern advocacy. Central to its mission is the belief that justice thrives on understanding; through proactive public education and accessible resources, the firm seeks to demystify the law, thereby equipping and empowering citizens to navigate their rights with confidence.
