Opposition parties search for 2014 presidential candidate

Leaders of seven opposition parties are considering the possibility of choosing a single candidate to face San José Mayor Johnny Araya of the ruling National Liberation Party (PLN) in next year’s presidential elections.

The group includes the National Union Party, United Cartago Coalition, Costa Rican Renovation Party, Libertarian Movement, Social Christian Unity Party, Cantonal Desamparadeño Party and National Integration for Freedom Party.

Representatives of these groups will meet Friday to define a working plan, the potential cost of a nomination process and a possible working schedule.

The candidate that would face Araya would be nominated in a single national primary election among candidates from all seven parties in August.

Also on Friday candidates of the Citizen Action Party, Juan Carlos Mendoza and Claudio Monge, will meet with Social Christian Unity Party candidates Roberto Suñol and Pedro Muñoz. They will discuss common issues with the goal of joining forces.

Araya on Wednesday became the sole candidate in the presidential race for the PLN after the last of his party’s candidates, former Minister Fernando Berrocal, quit and announced his support of Araya.

Last Friday, Rodrigo Arias – a former minister in the administration of his brother, ex-President Oscar Arias – also quit the presidential race in the PLN.