Laura Fernández’s victory in Costa Rica’s presidential elections consolidates the continuity of current President Rodrigo Chaves’s administration. Various opposition sectors have warned that the arrival of a pro-government figure to power could lead to an “authoritarian path,” a concern fueled by Chaves’s recurring clashes with other branches of government, such as Congress, the Judiciary, the Supreme Electoral Tribunal, and critical media outlets.
In her first statements after the victory, Fernández categorically affirmed that she plans to continue her predecessor’s legacy for the next four years, distancing herself from any proposals for a radical break with the past.
The new president, 39, a graduate in Political Science, assumes the position after serving as Minister of the Presidency and Minister of Planning and Economic Policy in the Chaves administration, in addition to accumulating over a decade of experience in the public sector since 2010. Regarding her priorities, Fernández expressed her aspiration to secure 40 of the 57 seats in the Legislative Assembly, which would allow the ruling party to push through the reforms it deems necessary.
The economy was central to her speech and proposals. During the 2024-2025 period, Costa Rica experienced an economic rebound, a decrease in unemployment, and a reduction in public debt—achievements that Fernández attributes to the outgoing government and which, according to the 2025 State of the Nation (PEN) report, made the country the most dynamic within the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). However, the report itself warns of remaining challenges in terms of wealth redistribution and long-term sustainability.
