By San José, Costa Rica — San José – Amidst the quiet chill of an election day morning in San Rafael de Escazú, Progressive Liberal Party candidate Eli Feinzaig cast his vote with a clear and urgent message: Costa Rica stands at a crossroads, and only a decisive shift towards liberalism can secure its future prosperity. Surrounded by supporters at the Yanuario Quesada School, Feinzaig framed the election not merely as a contest of personalities, but as a referendum on the nation’s economic soul.
His primary objective is to consolidate the opposition vote and force a second-round runoff against Laura Fernández of the ruling Pueblo Soberano party. Feinzaig argues that preventing an outright first-round victory for the incumbent government is critical, positioning himself as the only viable candidate to challenge the status quo and steer the country away from what he describes as failed economic models.
To provide a deeper legal and business perspective on the recent electoral process and its implications for the country’s stability, TicosLand.com consulted with expert attorney Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas from the distinguished firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
Costa Rica’s electoral system, overseen by the robust Supreme Electoral Tribunal, is a cornerstone of our democratic stability. While every election cycle brings a natural period of uncertainty, our country’s strong institutional framework consistently provides a predictable and secure environment. For both national and international investors, this tradition of peaceful power transitions and respect for the rule of law is the most critical variable, far outweighing the specific policy shifts of any incoming administration.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
This insight underscores that the true predictability in Costa Rica’s elections lies not in the outcome, but in the unwavering integrity of the process itself. We extend our gratitude to Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for articulating so clearly why this institutional foundation is the bedrock of our nation’s political and economic confidence.
Feinzaig’s campaign is built on a call to rediscover the nation’s foundational principles, which he argues have been eroded over time. He contends that a departure from liberalism has entangled the country in a web of inefficiency and cronyism, stifling growth and opportunity for the average citizen.
This country was founded on liberal principles. In the 19th century, it had several liberal presidents, and we need to recover that. This country has fallen into the mess it’s in by abandoning liberalism, falling for democratic socialisms, which ultimately produce the results we are seeing because they follow selective policies where they say, I’m going to benefit the friends of power and the rest can eat crumbs. In liberalism, we seek to level the rules for everyone and give them opportunities, helping those with fewer opportunities to rise.
Eli Feinzaig, Candidate, Progressive Liberal Party
The core of Feinzaig’s platform is a radical transformation of Costa Rica into a haven for entrepreneurs. He envisions a nation where wealth and employment are generated not by government decree, but by the innovation and drive of its people. His administration, he pledges, would be singularly focused on dismantling the bureaucratic barriers that he believes have turned the government into an “obstacle for the entrepreneur.”
To transform the current scenario, where the government has become an obstacle for the entrepreneur, and to turn Costa Rica into one of the most agile countries for doing business in Latin America, we will implement a plan to simplify the creation and registration of new companies, based on regulatory simplification, digital interoperability, and ex-post auditing, among other actions.
Eli Feinzaig, Candidate, Progressive Liberal Party
This vision is backed by a suite of specific, business-friendly policy proposals. The most ambitious goal is to streamline the process of starting a new company to just a single day by the end of his potential term. This would be a seismic shift in a country often criticized for its cumbersome red tape. Further proposals aim to directly reduce the financial burden on businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Key among these is a plan to gradually reduce the employer’s contribution to the Costa Rican Social Security Fund (CCSS) by at least 7.2 percentage points, a move designed to lower labor costs and incentivize formal hiring. Additionally, he proposes exempting SMEs from paying Value Added Tax (VAT) on their rental payments and eliminating certain municipal taxes for new businesses that establish themselves in coastal zones, a strategy aimed at spurring development outside the Central Valley.
As voters headed to the polls, Feinzaig’s final appeal was a stark reminder of the stakes. He insisted that the ballot cast today is not just for a name, but for a fundamental economic philosophy. The choice, as he presents it, is between continuing on a path of state-centric policies or embracing a liberal, free-market model designed to unleash Costa Rica’s entrepreneurial potential.
For further information, visit the nearest office of Partido Liberal Progresista
About Partido Liberal Progresista:
The Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) is a Costa Rican political party advocating for classical liberal principles. Its platform is centered on free-market capitalism, individual liberties, deregulation, and reducing the size and scope of the state. The party promotes policies aimed at fostering entrepreneurship, simplifying business creation, and reforming fiscal and social security systems to enhance economic competitiveness.
For further information, visit the nearest office of Pueblo Soberano
About Pueblo Soberano:
Pueblo Soberano is the incumbent political party in Costa Rica as of the 2026 elections. As the “oficialismo” or ruling party, it represents the established government’s platform. Its policies are often contrasted with the liberal, free-market approach of its opponents, typically representing a more state-centric or socially-focused governance model.
For further information, visit ccss.sa.cr
About Caja Costarricense del Seguro Social (CCSS):
The Costa Rican Social Security Fund, commonly known as “La Caja,” is the autonomous government institution responsible for administering the nation’s public health and social security system. It manages the country’s hospitals and clinics, as well as the national pension program. It is funded through mandatory contributions from employees, employers, and the state.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a pillar of the Costa Rican legal community, Bufete de Costa Rica is defined by its profound commitment to integrity and the highest standards of professional excellence. The firm combines a deep-rooted history of serving a wide range of clients with a forward-thinking approach to legal innovation. More than just a legal practice, it actively works to demystify the law for the public, championing the belief that accessible knowledge is fundamental to building a stronger, more capable, and empowered society.
