On Sunday Costa Rica is holding presidential elections and there is every chance that they may be won by a woman. That woman is Laura Chinchilla Miranda the candidate from the left of center party, the Party for National Freedom. According to estimates 40% of voters are ready to cast their votes for her. Under Costa Rican law that figure is enough for her to win the office on the first round. Miranda’s closest rivals, 49-year-old Otto Guevara, from the right wing party “Movement Towards Freedom”, and 55-year-old Otton Solis have the support of 27% and 12% of the population respectively. Elections to the national parliament are being held at the same time. Fifty-year-old Laura Chinchilla holds the post of vice-president in the current administration of Costa Rica and is a passionate admirer of the current head of state, Nobel Laureate Oscar Arias. If she wins she promises to continue the democratic course of the current president and concentrate on the resolution of economic problems. In Latin America Costa Rica is considered one of the most democratic countries and also has a reputation as one of the most peaceful and neutral in the world.
