Understanding Costa Rica’s Political System: Structure, Elections, and the Long Battle Against Corruption

Government Structure

Costa Rica operates as a representative democratic republic with three independent branches:

1. Executive Branch

• Headed by the President of the Republic, elected every four years.

• Two vice presidents and cabinet ministers support the administration.

• Presidents cannot serve consecutive terms.

2. Legislative Branch

• A unicameral Legislative Assembly with 57 deputies.

• Deputies serve four-year terms and cannot serve consecutive terms either.

• Legislative power includes creating laws, approving national budgets, and monitoring public institutions.

3. Judicial Branch

• Independent courts led by the Supreme Court of Justice (Corte Suprema de Justicia).

• Judges are appointed by the Legislative Assembly.

• Includes specialized courts for constitutional, civil, criminal, labor, and administrative matters.

Local governments (municipalities) operate independently for regional services, led by elected mayors.

How Elections Work

Costa Rica’s electoral process is structured, regulated, and transparent. Key points include:

National-Level Elections

• Occur every four years.

• Positions elected: President, two Vice Presidents, and 57 Legislative Deputies.

• If no presidential candidate achieves 40% or more of the vote, a runoff election is held between the top two candidates.

Municipal Elections

• Held separately from national elections.

• Voters elect mayors, aldermen, district representatives, and other local officials.

Who Manages the Elections?

The Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) is the institution responsible for:

• Managing elections

• Voting registration

• Monitoring campaign finance

• Ensuring neutrality and transparency

The TSE is constitutionally protected and recognized as one of the country’s strongest democratic institutions.

A Historical Look at Corruption in Costa Rica

Like many Latin American nations, Costa Rica has struggled with corruption throughout its history. Several well-documented patterns have influenced the system:

Public Contracting and State Institutions

Large public-sector monopolies and state-owned companies have historically been vulnerable to:

• Preferential contracts

• Misuse of public funds

• Nepotism

• Undue political influence

Past Corruption Scandals

Costa Rica has seen multiple high-profile investigations involving:

• Presidents

• Legislative deputies

• Public-sector executives

• Large construction, energy, and infrastructure projects

These cases contributed to a national perception that corruption had become structurally embedded over decades.

Current Anti-Corruption Efforts

Recent administrations, including the current government, have made corruption reduction a public priority. Efforts typically include:

• Strengthening investigative powers

• Increasing digital transparency

• Reducing bureaucracy

• Reforming procurement processes

• Pushing for congressional approval of new regulatory tools

Why Results Are Slow

Neutral analysts often highlight obstacles that slow meaningful progress:

• Complex bureaucracy

• Legal protections for entrenched interests

• Slow judicial processes

• Internal resistance within state institutions

• Limited political consensus in the Legislative Assembly

These structural constraints make anti-corruption efforts difficult, even when the executive branch prioritizes them.

Why This Matters for Visitors and New Residents

For tourists, the political environment has little direct impact, as Costa Rica remains:

• Stable

• Safe

• Consistently democratic

• Peacefully governed

For long-term residents or investors, understanding the institutional structure helps explain:

• Political debates

• Public sector limitations

• The slow pace of reforms

• Why some government processes feel bureaucratic

Costa Rica’s democracy remains one of the most resilient in the region, but the country continues to face real challenges in modernizing its institutions and reducing corruption.