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The article offers information on presidential and parliamentary elections in several countries including Madagascar, Bangladesh, and Costa Rica. Topics include the importance of elections in Madagascar from 2013 to 2014, the 2014 parliamentary elections in Bangladesh marred with bloodshed and violence, and the presidential candidates in the February 2, 2014 general elections in Costa Rica. Also mentioned are the elections in El Salvador, Thailand, and Columbia.

The article features Costa Rican President Laura Chinchilla, who won against the nine candidates contesting the presidency during the February 2010 elections to become the first female president of the country.

Costa Rica is a relatively politically stable and economically developed nation with a long tradition of civilian democracy. Former president (1986-1990) and Nobel-laureate Oscar Arias of the National Liberation Party was elected President in 2006. Throughout his term, Arias has focused on expanding the country’s social safety net and increasing free trade. He faced strong opposition to the country’s inclusion in the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR), but eventually secured its ratification and implementation. Arias has also been active in foreign affairs, establishing diplomatic relations with China and Cuba after decades without formal ties. Once a predominantly agricultural nation, Costa Rica has established a diversified economy with a strong export sector. Under President Arias, the country has increased its social investment, experienced significant economic growth, and seen a reduction in poverty. The global financial crisis and economic downturn, however, threatens to erase these gains. President Arias has responded to the crisis with an ambitious fiscal stimulus and social protection plan. While the plan may do much to mitigate the social impacts of the crisis, analysts believe it will be unable to prevent Costa Rica’s economy from slowing considerably in 2009. In recent years, many have begun to recognize Costa Rica as a world leader in environmental protection. Successive Costa Rican administrations have sought to address the extensive deforestation and environmental degradation that resulted from decades of logging and agricultural expansion. The country’s innovative policies, strong conservation system, and commitment to alternative energy have done much to restore Costa Rica’s environment. Costa Rica is also party to a variety of international treaties and has committed to becoming carbon neutral by 2021. This commitment to environmental protection has been a significant source of economic growth for the country as Costa Rica is now a top destination for ecotourism. The United States and Costa Rica have long enjoyed close relations as a result of the countries’ shared commitments to strengthening democracy, improving human rights, and advancing free trade. The countries have also maintained strong commercial ties, which are likely to become even more extensive as a result of the implementation of CAFTA-DR. Costa Rica and the United States have worked together on a number of other issues as well, such as conserving Costa Rica’s tropical forests and combating narcotics trafficking. For additional information see CRS Report RL31870, The Dominican Republic-Central America- United States Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR), by J. F. Hornbeck, CRS Report RL34112, Gangs in Central America, by Clare Ribando Seelke, and CRS Report R40135, Mérida Initiative for Mexico and Central America: Funding and Policy Issues, by Clare Ribando Seelke and June S. Beittel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses various aspects of the presidential election that was held in Costa Rica on April 1, 2018, and it mentions political issues such as gay marriage and abortion, as well as the election of former cabinet minister Carlos Alvarado Quesada as the nation's president.

The article offers information on the political and economic conditions in Costa Rica including its independence from Spain, the period of violence under the regime of dictator Federico Tinoco, and the economy based on tourism, agriculture, and electronic exports.

The article offers news briefs on perceived risks in politics, economy, and business environment of Costa Rica, including a call by President Laura Chinchilla on a conversation about drug legalisation, foreign tourists rising in 2011, and the proposed hydropower project to begin construction in 2013.

The article presents a political outlook for Costa Rica. It affirms its earlier views that President Laura Chinchilla would struggle in addressing fiscal problems and deteriorating security situation. With the significant public ire on proposed tax reforms and rising crime and violence due to drug cartels, the author remains skeptic on Costa Rica's political and economic outlook. The article also shows the economic data estimates for 2011 and forecasts for 2012 and 2013.

The article presents a risk assessment of Costa Rica's politics, economy and business environment for 2012.

The article presents the economic and political risk assessment for Costa Rica in 2011 which includes the lobby for price subsidy of rice, labor disputes at the ports which may affect the imports and exports, and the absence of government regulations for the installation of cell towers.

The article discusses a political outlook for Costa Rica, particularly the deteriorating development metrics. It is believed that President Laura Chinchilla will not be able to reverse the state of these metrics, specifically the quality of life in the country. A chart is presented that shows actual and forecast values of economic indicators in Costa Rica, such as population, budget balance and consumer prices, from 2009 to 2012.

The article discusses political and economic outlooks for Costa Rica for 2008-2011. The potential for a regional security cooperation has been raised by the success of intelligence-sharing between Costa Rica, Colombia and Mexico. Real gross domestic product growth for 2010 and 2011 are expected to be 4.3% and 2.4%, respectively.

The article discusses the risk summary for Costa Rica's politics, economy and business which include the hope that new cabinet member Anabel González can pursue aggressive overseas trade policy, the decreased current account (C/A) deficit of Costa Rica in 2009 and the expected mobile market growth.

This article presents a risk assessment for Costa Rica's political, economic and business environment in 2010, including the increase in the public debt burden of the country in 2009 and a plan by telecommunications regulator Sutel to impose tariff ceilings for new and existing operators in the market.

The article describes the support for the ruling Partido Liberación Nacional (PLN) candidate Laura Chinchillia compared to the growing support for Otto Guevara of the Movimiento Libertario (ML) in the same period for the February 2010 elections in Costa Rica. Support for the PLN is said to be strong among younger voters and in poorer and rural areas. According to the article, Laura Chinchilla, is set to benefit from the popularity of President Oscar Arias Sanchez.

This section offers news briefs concerning political and economic conditions in Costa Rica as of October 2009. A poll showed that Laura Chinchilla is the top contender in 2010 presidential elections. The country's trade balance improved in the first half of 2009. Telecoms regulator Sutel has been charged with the transition of the telecoms market from a monopoly to a market with several companies competing across all segments.

The article presents a political, economic and business risk assessment for Costa Rica. The legal battle between the country and Nicaragua concerning the San Juan River has been ended by the International Court of Justice. The country's monthly economic activity index reached 3.6% year-on-year in May 2009. Pay-television (TV) operator Amnet has become the first company to receive a licence to operate as an Internet service provider in country.

The article presents a risk summary for the political, economic, and business sectors of Costa Rica as of August 8, 2009. It points out that the increasing reliance on multilateral financing of the country had a negative impact on its political risk rating. The country is expected to have a total external debt of U.S.$11.0billion by the end of 2009. The Superintendencia de Telecomunicaciones (Sutel) of Costa Rica halted the monopoly of Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (ICE) through the concessions given to six companies to iffer Internet access.

The article forecasts the presidential election in Costa Rica on February 2010. It foresees Laura Chinchilla of the Partido Liberación Nacional (PLN) to defeat Ottón Solís of the Partico Acción Ciudadana (PAC) due to the support of Óscar Arias to Chinchilla. Analysts think that the government can execute its fiscal and monetary stimuli efforts to the electorate in favorable terms.

The article presents political, economic and business risk ratings for Costa Rica for 2009. The likely successor of incumbent President Oscar Arias is former Vice-President Laura Chinchilla, predicts the journal. Short-term political risk rating stands at 76.7, while short-term economic risk rating is 61. Notable factors affecting the economic and business landscapes include the possible extension of developmental loans by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and auctioning of mobile telecommunication concessions.

This section offers news briefs related to the risks in Costa Rica as of March 2009. The government of Costa Rica formulated the Plan Escudo to improve spending on public works projects and give incentives for businesses. The Chinese and Costa Rican governments are expecting to complete their free trade agreement (FTA) this year. The Cámara Nacional De Turismo de Costa Rica said that the U.S. recession will have a negative impact on the tourism of Costa Rica.

This section offers news briefs concerning political, business and economic conditions in Costa Rica. Ottón Solis, leader of the opposition partido Acción Ciudadana (PAC) criticized the government because of the weak economy. The administration extended the finalization of the legislation needed to enact the U.S.-Dominican Republic-Central America Free Trade Agreement (DR-CAFTA). The port authority is asking investors to privatize the port of Limón

The article presents an outlook for the 2010 presidential election in Costa Rica. The chances of Fernando Berrocal, former defense minister, to become the official presidential candidate of the ruling Partido Liberación Nacional (PLN) against incumbent vice president Laura Chinchilla are assessed. Projections for business and economy depending on the election results are discussed.

The article offers political and economic risk analysis for Costa Rica as of August 2008. The country's National Salary Council has increased the minimum wage in the private sector to curb prolonged consumer unrest due to rising cost of living. It notes that economic growth slowdown is expected in 2008 given a less supportive external backdrop. The banking sector has upgraded the quality and quantity of its services in anticipation of strong credit growth and lower risk premial.

The article reports on the political, economic and business conditions in Costa Rica. President Oscar Arias warned of tougher conditions in the future during his economic report on congress. It is forecasted that growth in exports will slowdown and foreign direct investment (FDI) will decrease. The government released a decree for the repair of bridges and roads destroyed by tropical storm Alma.

This section offers news briefs on economic and political conditions in Costa Rica in 2007. Measures are being taken to bring the country fully into compliance with the conditions of the Dominican Republic-Central American Free Trade Agreement (DR-CAFTA). The economic risk ratings of Business Monitor International (BMI) for the country have moved higher. The decision of Costa Rica's central bank to adjust the currency upwards against the dollar is predicted to have a mixed impact on businesses.

This article analyzes economic, political and business risks in Costa Rica. There had been speculation that Costa Rica is planning to cancel ties with Taipei to switch allegiance to China. In 2006, Costa Rica experienced 7.8 percent real gross domestic product growth rate. Based on a survey conducted by CID-Gallup, there were differing reactions to the decision over whether to ratify the Central America Free Trade Agreement-Dominican Republic.

Presents an update on the political and economic conditions in Costa Rica as of July 2005. Investigation faced by President Abel Pacheco for allegedly accepting luxury gifts; Optimism on the approval of fiscal reforms following the passage of a fast-track scheme by the Congress; Negotiation between the government and the British firm Alterra Partners to resume the remodeling work on an international airport.

Presents an outlook on the political, economic and business conditions in Costa Rica as of July 1, 2004. Approval rating of the administration of President Abel Pacheco; Impact of an increase in oil production on the country's oil prices and inflationary pressures; Call of U.S. Ambassador John Danilovitch for the Costa Rican government to reform the bidding process used to adjudicate public works in order to reassure potential foreign investors.