Costa Rica: Free-Trade Agreement Passes
From Roy Rojas of Global Voices...
On October 7, Costa Rica participated in a democratic exercise through a referendum to decide on the fate of the Free-Trade Agreement and citizens were able to be a legislator for day. It was a day with plenty of tension on both sides. Neither those supporting “Yes”, nor those supporting “No” were assured of a victory, and in the streets, one could hear equal numbers of songs and chants, and most importantly with respect.
At 6 pm, the polls closed and the tension increased in the campaign centers. The leaders gave statements to the press and predicted their own victory. At 8:30 pm, the results were announced by the Supreme Electoral Court. The “Yes” side was victorious with more than 60% of the tables counted. It was almost a definite victory. The “Yes” side had won. After the announcement, there were festivities on side, and frustration on the other. Between the two sides, there were reports of fights, arguments and attempts and public disorder. However, it did not reach problematic levels.
Many bloggers asked what will happen from here on out, and some say that there is not a clear panaroma because many laws still need to approved in parliament, so that the Free-Trade Agreement becomes active.
Fusil de Chispas [ES], who was against the agreement, writes:
The majority of Costa Rican voters went out to vote. The majority voted Yes. The Free-Trade Agreement passes. “Costa Rica will get what it deserves, the good, as well as the bad.”
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On October 7, Costa Rica participated in a democratic exercise through a referendum to decide on the fate of the Free-Trade Agreement and citizens were able to be a legislator for day. It was a day with plenty of tension on both sides. Neither those supporting “Yes”, nor those supporting “No” were assured of a victory, and in the streets, one could hear equal numbers of songs and chants, and most importantly with respect.
At 6 pm, the polls closed and the tension increased in the campaign centers. The leaders gave statements to the press and predicted their own victory. At 8:30 pm, the results were announced by the Supreme Electoral Court. The “Yes” side was victorious with more than 60% of the tables counted. It was almost a definite victory. The “Yes” side had won. After the announcement, there were festivities on side, and frustration on the other. Between the two sides, there were reports of fights, arguments and attempts and public disorder. However, it did not reach problematic levels.
Many bloggers asked what will happen from here on out, and some say that there is not a clear panaroma because many laws still need to approved in parliament, so that the Free-Trade Agreement becomes active.
Fusil de Chispas [ES], who was against the agreement, writes:
The majority of Costa Rican voters went out to vote. The majority voted Yes. The Free-Trade Agreement passes. “Costa Rica will get what it deserves, the good, as well as the bad.”
- continued -
For more international insights check out Global Voices and be sure to subscribe to the Daily Digest for the latest international news every morning.