Costa Rica: Political Games · Global Voices
Roy Rojas

Ever since October 7th, Costa Rica has been falling into a political game, where the government has been facing off with the 2nd political force in the country in the Legislative Assembly. It has become the government vs. Citizen's Action Party (PAC, for its initals in Spanish).  Some say that this could be what is in store for the next elections in 2010 and that the PAC would be the big loser because it has caused disillusion in many of their followers, and that it could cost them in the near future.
The Congressional deputy Andrea Morales (the “Rebel Girl of the Assembly“) elected with the PAC spoke about the promises made by Otton Solís, founder of PAC and some might say, owner) about what her party would be.  The blog Fusil de Chispas provides the quote:
Como si fuera ayer, recuerdo a Ottón Solís hablando antes de las elecciones de 2002, sobre el filibusterismo legislativo, sobre el obstruccionismo irracional, sobre su convicción en otras formas de hacer oposición; la necesaria, la sensata. Hoy los diputados de su partido, el del modelo alternativo, el de la nueva forma de hacer política, se gastan en una semana el papel de un mes, para inundar el congreso con mociones, para tener más tiempo para hablar más viento.
It was like it was yesterday, I remember Ottón Solís talking before the 2002 elections about legislative filibustering, about irrational obstructionism, about his conviction regarding other ways to be the opposition, only the necessary, the sensible.  Today the deputies of this party of the alternative model, of the new way of politics, wastes in one week the paper for the entire month, to inundate Congress with motions, so that they have more time to talk more empty air.
The blog Manda Güevo [es] reminds us  las of the words from Elizabeth Fonseca, leader of the PAC fraction group:
“Presentaremos las mociones que consideremos necesarias, así sean miles y no haremos el quorum…”
We will present the motions that we consider necessary, even if they are thousands and we won't make quorum…
The government of Costa Rica led by Oscar Arias, with much more political esxperience, has been able to move its pieces even with the opposition from various social sectors (PAC, Unions, Intellectuals) that are primarily opposed to the laws associated with the Free Trade agreement with the United States (FTA or CAFTA).  Many are still wondering if the free-trade agreement will be good for the country.  However, the country voted in favor of its passage at the October 7th Referendum, and others are trying to focus on other laws that are currently being discussed such as the new Transit Law, the new Law of Public Works, among others.
The blog Mop [es] says:
“Señores del PAC, por que no buscan vida o se ponen a trabajar?? Respeten nuestra democracia y a nuestro pueblo!!!”
Gentlemen of the PAC, why don't you get a life and get to work?? Respect our democracy and the Costa Rican people!!!
Many share the same sentiment in that the PAC would be a new, renewed and important option.  Blogs like h3dicho.com [es] had strongly supported this socio-political movement, but are now showing their discontent:
“Tengo que confesar que en el 2002 fui uno de los que voto por el PAC y realmente me desilusionó por completo que Ottón perdiera…Mi apoyo a Ottón tenía varias razones entre las cuales estaba la necesidad que tenía Costa Rica de romper los fraudes provocados por el bipartidismo… Pero poco tiempo despues me di cuenta que realmente fue una salvada que Otón no hubiese llegado a presidente…Me decepcioné del PAC por el curso que estaba llevando en la Asamblea Legistlativa…”
I must confess that in 2002, I voted for the PAC and I was really disappointed that Ottón lost…There were many reasons for my support for Ottón, including the need to see Costa Rica break the frauds caused by bipartisanship…But a short time later, I realized that we were saved that Ottón did not arrive to the presidency…I was disappointed by the PAC for the course that it is taking in the Legislative Assembly.
What will happen from this point forward is anybody's guess, but it is obvious that there needs to be more political will from both the government and the opposition.