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Latin American Program in the News: "¿Por qué la izquierda se quedó fuera de la segunda vuelta en Costa Rica?"

Eric L. Olson

In this discussion with Club de Prensa, Associate Director Eric L. Olson comments on the results of the first round of the Costa Rican presidential election and the implications for the second round.

Asked about whether the surprising results are due to inaccurate polling or are representative of a real shift in intentions among voters, Olson notes the importance of a growing feeling among many Costa Ricans that they are not represented by the traditional parties. According to Olson, Costa Ricans are looking for an alternative to the these parties.

Olson also notes that the recent results indicate voter interest in alternatives, but also a rejection of the status quo and the government of current President Chinchilla.  In addition, Olson observes that voter absention is often due to a lack of confidence that their vote will make a difference.  However, he believes that ultimately in this election Costa Ricans voting for an alternative is the key factor which could decide the second round of the election.

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About the Author

Eric L. Olson

Eric L. Olson

Global Fellow;
Director of Policy and Strategic Initiatives, Seattle International Foundation
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Latin America Program

The Wilson Center’s prestigious Latin America Program provides non-partisan expertise to a broad community of decision makers in the United States and Latin America on critical policy issues facing the Hemisphere. The Program provides insightful and actionable research for policymakers, private sector leaders, journalists, and public intellectuals in the United States and Latin America. To bridge the gap between scholarship and policy action, it fosters new inquiry, sponsors high-level public and private meetings among multiple stakeholders, and explores policy options to improve outcomes for citizens throughout the Americas. Drawing on the Wilson Center’s strength as the nation’s key non-partisan policy forum, the Program serves as a trusted source of analysis and a vital point of contact between the worlds of scholarship and action.  Read more