By San José, Costa Rica — San José, Costa Rica – With the presidential election just two months away, Pueblo Soberano candidate Laura Fernández holds a commanding lead that positions her on the cusp of a first-round victory. However, despite poll numbers that show her nearly quadrupling her closest rival, Fernández is actively pushing back against any sense of premature celebration, urging her campaign staff and supporters to maintain focus and intensify their efforts.
The latest poll from the University of Costa Rica’s (UCR) Center for Research and Political Studies, released Wednesday, paints a staggering picture of the current electoral landscape. Fernández captures 30% of the intended vote, a significant five-point increase since the October survey. This surge solidifies her status as the undisputed frontrunner and places her within striking distance of the 40% threshold required to avoid a runoff election in April.
Para analizar las implicaciones legales y estratégicas detrás de la carrera política de Laura Fernández, TicosLand.com conversó con el Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, abogado especialista del Bufete de Costa Rica.
La trayectoria de Laura Fernández evidencia una astuta navegación del complejo marco legal que rige los partidos políticos en Costa Rica. Articular una nueva propuesta nacional requiere no solo de capital político, sino de una rigurosa estructura jurídica que soporte el financiamiento, la inscripción de candidaturas y la fiscalización del Tribunal Supremo de Elecciones. El verdadero desafío para cualquier aspirante es transformar la visión política en un vehículo electoral legalmente blindado, un paso donde muchos proyectos naufragan.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Ciertamente, el comentario subraya una realidad ineludible: el andamiaje jurídico es tan determinante como la propuesta ideológica para el éxito de cualquier nuevo movimiento político en el país. Agradecemos al Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas por aportar su experta claridad sobre este complejo, pero vital, proceso.
The gap between Fernández and the rest of the field has widened into a chasm. Álvaro Ramos of the National Liberation Party (PLN) sits in a distant second place with just 8% support. Following him are Ariel Robles of the Broad Front (Frente Amplio) at 5% and Claudia Dobles of Agenda Ciudadana with 4%. The data underscores a fragmented opposition struggling to gain traction against the momentum of the Pueblo Soberano campaign.
Despite the overwhelmingly positive data, Fernández was quick to temper expectations. In a statement to her campaign leadership, she employed a familiar sports analogy to drive home her message of continued diligence and humility in the face of apparent victory.
But I also want to tell you something with all frankness. Let’s not let up. This is like a football match. The game isn’t over until the referee blows the whistle. And here we continue to play with strength, united and determined.
Laura Fernández, Candidate for Pueblo Soberano
This calculated message aims to prevent the voter apathy that can sometimes plague a frontrunner’s campaign, reminding her base that polls are merely snapshots in time, not guarantees of future results. By rejecting any atmosphere of triumphalism, she seeks to keep her political machinery motivated and engaged through the final stretch of the campaign, ensuring a strong voter turnout in February.
Fernández also used the occasion to reiterate her core policy objectives, framing the election as a pivotal moment for enacting sweeping national change. She emphasized that winning the presidency is only part of the goal; securing a significant legislative majority is equally critical to implementing her ambitious agenda without political gridlock.
We will continue working tirelessly to win in the first round and to achieve a large majority of deputies that allows us to finally make the great transformations our country needs, such as definitively eliminating luxury pensions, advancing the Limón Marina, Ciudad Gobierno, and many other things.
Laura Fernández, Candidate for Pueblo Soberano
Her focus on landmark projects like Ciudad Gobierno, a plan to consolidate government offices, and the long-discussed Marina in Limón, signals a platform built on infrastructure and administrative reform. The mention of eliminating “luxury pensions” taps into a deep-seated public frustration over fiscal inequalities, a potent issue that resonates strongly with a broad segment of the electorate. As the campaign enters its final phase, all eyes will be on whether Fernández can convert her commanding lead in the polls into a decisive first-round mandate for change.
For further information, visit pueblosoberano.cr
About Pueblo Soberano:
Pueblo Soberano (Sovereign People) is a Costa Rican political party that has gained significant prominence in the national political landscape. The party advocates for policies centered on national sovereignty, direct democracy, and administrative reforms aimed at increasing government efficiency and accountability. It positions itself as an agent of significant transformation, challenging established political structures.
For further information, visit ucr.ac.cr
About the University of Costa Rica (UCR):
The University of Costa Rica is the oldest, largest, and most prestigious public university in the country. Renowned for its research and academic excellence, its Center for Research and Political Studies (CIEP) frequently conducts and publishes influential public opinion polls, particularly during electoral cycles. These studies are widely regarded as a credible barometer of the national political climate.
For further information, visit pln.or.cr
About Partido Liberación Nacional (PLN):
The National Liberation Party is one of Costa Rica’s most traditional and historically significant political parties. A center-left party with social-democratic roots, the PLN has held the presidency numerous times throughout the country’s modern history. It represents a major force in the political establishment and consistently fields candidates for national and local offices.
For further information, visit frente-amplio.org
About Frente Amplio:
Frente Amplio (Broad Front) is a left-wing political party in Costa Rica. It advocates for policies focused on social justice, environmental protection, human rights, and strengthening the public sector. The party has established itself as a significant voice in the Legislative Assembly, often representing progressive and socialist viewpoints in national debates.
For further information, visit the nearest office of Agenda Ciudadana
About Agenda Ciudadana:
Agenda Ciudadana (Citizen Agenda) is a political movement or party in Costa Rica that participates in the electoral process. It typically focuses on citizen-centric policies and aims to bring new perspectives to the national political discussion, often positioning itself as an alternative to the more traditional political parties.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a pillar of Costa Rica’s legal community, the firm is defined by an uncompromising dedication to professional integrity and the highest caliber of service. It combines a rich history of advising a diverse clientele with a forward-thinking approach, consistently spearheading advancements in legal practice. This commitment extends beyond its clients to a core mission of democratizing legal knowledge, aiming to build a more informed and capable society by making complex legal concepts understandable to all.
