October 23, 2005

Abstract: (Angus Reid Global Scan) - Former head of state Óscar Arias Sánchez continues to lead all contenders in Costa Rica, according to a poll by CID-Gallup. 45 per cent of respondents would support Arias in next year's presidential election.

(Angus Reid Global Scan) - Former head of state Óscar Arias Sánchez continues to lead all contenders in Costa Rica, according to a poll by CID-Gallup. 45 per cent of respondents would support Arias in next year's presidential election.

In March 2004, the 63-year-old Arias officially announced his intention to run for president again as the candidate for the National Liberation Party (PLN). The Costa Rican Legislative Assembly opted to bring back presidential re-election in 2003. Arias headed the government from 1986 to 1990.

Ottón Solís of the Citizens Action Party (PAC) is second with 16 per cent, followed by Ricardo Toledo of the governing Social-Christian Unity Party (PUSC) with 14 per cent, Otto Guevara of the Libertarian Movement (ML) with 11 per cent, and Antonio Álvarez Desanti of the Union for Change (UPC) with nine per cent.

Earlier this month, the National Rescue Party (PRN) sought legal action against the PLN candidate and his brother Rodrigo Arias for alleged wrongdoing in a 1997 land deal. Arias called the situation "dirty campaigning," adding, "The property was acquired n good faith and in accordance with every legal requirement."

The PUSC's Abel Pacheco was elected in a run-off in April 2002 with 58 per cent of the vote. The election is scheduled for Feb. 6, 2006.

Polling Data

What candidate would you vote for in the next presidential election?

	Oct. 2005	Jul. 2005
Óscar Arias (PLN)	45%	48%
Ottón Solís (PAC)	16%	18%
Ricardo Toledo (PUSC)	14%	13%
Otto Guevara (ML)	11%	9%
Antonio Álvarez Desanti (UPC)	9%	n.a.

Source: CID-Gallup
Methodology: Interviews to 1,221 Costa Rican adults, conducted from Oct. 7 to Oct. 13, 2005. Margin of error is 2.8 per cent.