In a landmark development for gender representation, women have claimed 30 of the 57 seats in Costa Rica’s Legislative Assembly after the February 1 elections. This amounts to 52.6 percent of the total, making it the first time in the nation’s history that female lawmakers outnumber their male counterparts.
The results, released by the Supreme Electoral Tribunal, show 30 women and 27 men set to take office on May 1. This shift builds on steady progress in recent years. The outgoing assembly, from 2022 to 2026, had 28 women, or 49.1 percent. Before that, the 2018-2022 term featured 26 women at 45.6 percent. The new composition pushes beyond parity, reflecting changes in electoral laws that mandate gender balance in candidate lists.
The ruling Pueblo Soberano Party leads with 31 seats overall, including 16 held by women. The National Liberation Party follows with 17 seats, 10 of them women. The Broad Front takes seven seats, with four women. Smaller parties, like the Social Christian Unity Party and the Citizen Agenda Coalition, each have one seat, both occupied by women.
This majority could reshape key areas of governance. Lawmakers often focus on social policies, such as health and education, where women’s perspectives may drive reforms. Public services, including childcare and elder support networks, stand to gain from targeted initiatives. Daily life issues, like violence prevention and job training, might see new priorities under this assembly.
President-elect Laura Fernández, who won with 48.3 percent of the vote, becomes the second woman to lead the country after Laura Chinchilla’s term from 2010 to 2014. Her victory avoided a runoff, as she cleared the 40 percent threshold against 19 other candidates. Fernández has committed to expanding social investments while maintaining fiscal balance.
The assembly’s makeup aligns with her agenda, giving her party a strong position to advance bills. Observers note that women’s increased presence may strengthen efforts on equality, though challenges remain in a politically divided landscape.
Voter turnout reached 72.1 percent, up from previous elections, signaling public engagement. The results cap a campaign marked by debates on security and economic recovery.
As Costa Rica prepares for the new term, this assembly represents a step forward in inclusive decision-making. The full list of elected deputies includes familiar faces and newcomers, ready to address national needs.
