Costa Rica: who’s who in opposition

A year before Costa Rican presidential elections, potential opponents to the ruling National Liberation Party (Partido Nacional de Liberación) are starting to appear.

One candidate is Epsy Campbell, a lawyer and former Congresswoman from the Citizen’s Action Party (Partido de Acción Ciudadana), which came second in the last election.

She is the second woman to run the country’s top office, following the the current president, Laura Chinchilla.

Another who this month announced his candidacy was Congressman José María Villalta of the Broad Front (Frente Amplio) party. Villalta, 35, is so far the only declared leftist candidate.

Meanwhile, a new movement called Coalition Viva, aims to reach a social pact including not only party followers, but also citizens without political affiliation and civic organizations, and dedicated to strengthening social welfare programs.