Arias leads opinion polls in Costa Rica

December 2, 2005

A cid-gallup poll shows former head of state Óscar Arias Sánchez is currently atop in opinion polls as the likely next president with 45% in the poll. Arias declared his intention to run after the legislature decided to bring back presidential re-election in 2003. He will be running for the National Liberation Party. He has been outspoken in favor of the ratification of CAFTA (the Central American Free Trade Agreement).

Others receiving votes include Ottón Solís with 20% (Citizens Action Party, PAC), Ricardo Toledo with 10% (Social-Christian Unity Party, PUSC), Otto Guevara with 8% (Libertarian Movement, ML), and Antonio Álvarez Desanti with 6% (Union for Change, UPC).