Right-wing Populist Laura Fernández Claims Victory in Costa Rica’s Elections. Here’s What to Know.

Right-wing populist Laura Fernández has claimed victory in Costa Rica’s presidential election, according to preliminary and partial results that suggest she has secured enough votes to avoid a runoff and become the country’s next president. The outcome caps a heated campaign built around security concerns, political discontent and the appeal of continuity with the outgoing government. Reuters +1
Fernández’s projected win signals a significant shift in Costa Rican politics — a country long regarded as a stable democracy in Central America — and reflects growing voter frustration over rising crime and a desire for what her supporters describe as stronger leadership. Financial Times
A Populist Victory in the First Round
Preliminary results from Costa Rica’s Supreme Electoral Tribunal indicate that Fernández, the 39-year-old candidate of the right-wing Sovereign People’s Party (PPSO), garnered nearly half of the vote with more than 88% of ballots counted, comfortably above the 40% threshold needed to win in the first round of voting and avoid a runoff scheduled for April 5. MarketScreener
Her closest rival, centrist economist Álvaro Ramos of the long-established National Liberation Party, received approximately one-third of the vote and has already conceded the race, though he emphasized his intention to remain a vigorous opposition voice in Costa Rican politics. Reuters
A Protege of President Chaves
Fernández’s political rise has been closely linked to outgoing President Rodrigo Chaves Robles, who is constitutionally barred from immediate re-election but remains a central figure in national discourse. She previously served in his administration as minister of national planning and economic policy as well as minister of the presidency — roles that positioned her as both a technocrat and loyalist. Wikipedia
Her campaign leaned heavily on promises to continue Chaves’ hard-line security policies and anti-establishment rhetoric. Crime, particularly drug-related violence and rising homicide rates, became a dominant theme during the campaign, with many voters expressing anxiety about insecurity after years of historically low crime figures. Kuwait Times
In her victory speech, Fernández described her win as ushering in a “new political era” for Costa Rica. She called for broad changes, asserting that the nation was moving beyond its post-civil war political framework toward what she termed a “transformative” agenda. MarketScreener
The Sovereign People’s Party’s Strengthened Position
Fernández’s governing party, the Sovereign People’s Party (PPSO), is also projected to make substantial gains in the 57-seat Legislative Assembly, winning roughly half of the seats, up from just eight in the previous legislature. While that may not constitute a supermajority — which would enable sweeping constitutional changes — it substantially strengthens her ability to pursue her legislative priorities. Reuters
Critics had warned that a supermajority could threaten institutional checks and balances, but even without it, the PPSO’s position represents a sharper tilt to the right in the Assembly and reduces the influence of traditional parties that have long dominated Costa Rican politics. Financial Times
Policies and Promises
Security remains Fernández’s top priority. She has pledged to continue construction of maximum-security prisons, increase penalties for violent crime and introduce states of emergency in areas most affected by gang activity — policies that critics compare to those implemented by leaders like El Salvador’s Nayib Bukele. Supporters argue such measures are necessary to regain public safety and curb cartel influence. Kuwait Times
Fernández has also positioned herself as a candidate of continuity, promising to retain key figures from Chaves’ government in advisory or leadership roles. This has raised questions about how much authority Chaves’ influence will have on her presidency, given legal restrictions on consecutive terms. Wikipedia
Economically, her platform mixes social conservatism with elements of economic liberalism, part of PPSO’s broader ideological stance. The party, founded in 2022, blends nationalist and populist appeals, including skepticism toward traditional elites and an emphasis on “sovereignty” in policy decisions. Wikipedia
Mixed Reactions at Home and Abroad
Reaction within Costa Rica has been polarized. Fernández’s supporters view her triumph as a mandate for decisive action on crime and public order after years of fear and frustration. Many voters who backed her cited concerns about daily security and dissatisfaction with what they see as bureaucratic stagnation. thestar.com.my
Opposition groups and civil society organizations, however, worry about the implications of her approach for democratic norms. They caution that hard-line tactics and expanded executive authority could erode institutional balances and civil liberties. Some critics also express concern about whether Fernández’s confrontational style, reminiscent of figures like Rodrigo Chaves and other populists, could deepen political divisions. Financial Times
Internationally, Fernández’s election is being watched as part of a broader trend in Latin America, where voters in several countries have shifted toward right-wing or populist leaders in recent years — often in response to crime, economic anxiety and disillusionment with traditional political parties. Financial Times
Challenges Ahead
Assuming office in May 2026, Fernández will confront immediate challenges: stemming gang violence, managing economic pressures, and governing effectively with a newly assertive legislature. How she navigates these issues will shape not only her domestic standing but also Costa Rica’s international relations, particularly as her government balances security cooperation with human rights commitments.
Her victory also raises questions about the future of Costa Rica’s political landscape. While once defined by consensus and moderation, the country now grapples with more polarized and assertive leadership — a reflection of shifting public sentiment in an era of uncertainty and insecurity.