The Costa Rica exists under the constitution of November
the 7th, 1949. The head of state is president chosen in general ellections. He
is supported by two vicepresidents and 18 ministres. Ellections are held on
every for years, always in the first february sunday (untill 1871 they were held on every three years). An 80 to 85 percent voter
turnout is the norm here. It`s necessary to win the 40% of votes to win the elections outright. If not, it will be held the presidencial run-off. (In 2002 it happened the first such situation for 54 years). President can`t be reelected. He have to turn of 30
years old and being in possesion of Costa Rica`s nationality. The Supreme Election Tribunal is a permanent, independent civil organization that oversees all elections, authorizes parties, approves candidates and keeps the records of voters.
The current president of Costa Rica is Abel Pacheco (1998 - 2002) from Social Christian Unity Party. He got 58% of votes. The first vicepresident is Lineth Saborio and the second vice-president is Luis Fishman (he tendered resignation in 2005).
The National Assembly has 57 members elected to four year
terms, distributed proportionately with one for every 30.000 Costa Ricans. The
parliament appointed 22 judges for Supreme Court for term of 8 years. The
suprime Court appoints the members of most lower courts.
Political system is many-party. Since 1949 only two parties
were ruling the country by turns: National Liberation Party and Social-Christian
Unity Party. Both parties have at that moment 23 representatives in parliament
separately. (Besides there are also 7 members of minority parties). All people
above 18 have voting rights. It should be pointed out during the presidencial ellections of 2002 the new Citizen Action Party received a suprisingly large percent of votes (26,3%) and getting third position.
