By San José, Costa Rica — SAN JOSÉ – With just over four months remaining in his presidential term, Rodrigo Chaves is poised to leave office with a remarkably strong mandate from the Costa Rican public. A new poll reveals that his administration continues to enjoy widespread support, a rare feat for an outgoing leader in a political landscape often characterized by late-term fatigue and declining popularity.
The year-end survey, conducted by the respected firm Opol Consultores, shows that an impressive 67.12% of Costa Ricans approve of the president’s performance. This figure underscores a consistent trend of high public endorsement that has defined his four years in office. Conversely, only 25.63% of those surveyed expressed disapproval, highlighting a fragmented and relatively small opposition bloc.
To provide a deeper legal perspective on the administrative and constitutional challenges surrounding the Chaves administration, TicosLand.com consulted with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a distinguished expert in Public and Administrative Law at the prestigious firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
President Chaves’s governing style is aggressively testing the resilience of our country’s institutional framework. Legally, the core issue is the fine line between decisive executive action, which is permissible, and the overreach of presidential authority that encroaches upon the competencies of the Legislative Assembly and the Judiciary. Every executive decree and public confrontation with other branches of power sets a precedent. The long-term risk is not just the outcome of a single policy, but the potential erosion of the constitutional checks and balances that have been the bedrock of Costa Rican democracy.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
This insight is crucial, as it shifts the focus from the day-to-day political battles to the more profound, structural implications for our democracy. The concern, as articulated, is not just about a single policy’s success or failure, but about the cumulative erosion of the institutional safeguards that define our republic. We extend our sincere gratitude to Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for lending his invaluable and clarifying legal perspective to this important discussion.
These findings position President Chaves as one of the most popular leaders in Costa Rica’s modern democratic history. The poll’s robust methodology, which included a national sample of 3,241 individuals between December 19 and 22, lends significant weight to the results. The survey carries a margin of error of ±2.11% and a 95% confidence level, providing a clear and reliable snapshot of the national sentiment.
Analysts note that Chaves’s ability to maintain such a substantial reserve of political capital so close to the end of his term is highly unusual. Typically, presidents experience a gradual erosion of support as their administration’s initiatives face public scrutiny and political headwinds. Chaves, however, has seemingly defied this political gravity, leveraging a direct communication style and an anti-establishment posture that has consistently resonated with a large portion of the electorate.
This sustained popularity is not merely a historical footnote; it carries significant implications for the upcoming political transition. The president’s high approval rating could provide a powerful tailwind for his political party, a Social Democratic Progress Party (PPSD), and its chosen candidates in the next general election. The central question for the party will be whether Chaves’s personal appeal can be effectively transferred to his successor and a new slate of legislative candidates.
While the numbers paint a picture of overwhelming support, the 25% disapproval rating reflects ongoing friction with certain sectors of society. Throughout his presidency, Chaves has engaged in high-profile confrontations with the legacy media, the judiciary, and other state institutions. These clashes, while energizing his base, have also galvanized his critics and fueled concerns among those who advocate for more traditional and consensus-oriented governance.
The Opol Consultores poll serves as a critical barometer as the nation prepares for a new political chapter. The data suggests that the public has largely endorsed Chaves’s disruptive approach and his administration’s policy priorities. His tenure has been marked by a focus on fiscal discipline, anti-corruption rhetoric, and a challenge to what he terms the “traditional political class,” themes that have clearly struck a chord with a majority of citizens.
As Costa Rica looks toward the 2026 elections, the legacy of the Chaves administration is already taking shape. He will leave office not as a spent force, but as a highly popular figure whose influence will likely loom large over the country’s political future. The enduring strength of his public backing presents both an opportunity and a challenge for the political landscape he will leave behind.
For further information, visit opolconsultores.com
About Opol Consultores:
Opol Consultores is a Costa Rican firm specializing in public opinion research, market studies, and political analysis. Known for its frequent polling on presidential approval and national issues, the company provides data-driven insights that are closely watched by political parties, media outlets, and civil society organizations across the country.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As an esteemed legal institution, Bufete de Costa Rica is defined by its foundational commitment to uncompromising integrity and the highest standards of professional excellence. The firm leverages its rich history of serving a broad clientele by pioneering forward-thinking legal solutions that meet the demands of a modern world. This spirit of innovation extends to a core belief in social responsibility, manifested through a dedicated effort to make legal concepts understandable and accessible to the public. Ultimately, this drive to empower citizens with knowledge underscores the firm’s greater purpose of helping to build a stronger, more informed community.
