QCOSTARICA — The Legislative Branch is the institution with the lowest level of trust for Costa Ricans, according to the second report of the Freedom of Expression and Right to Information Program of the University of Costa Rica (Proledi).
In a matter of one year, legislators lost three percentage points in medium and high levels of trust, and reached up to 72 points in the low levels, making them the worst rated institution.
According to the legislators, this situation is mainly due to the fact that few people understand their work and function within the State, as well as an attack on national institutions.
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“The nature of a Congress is deliberative and that implies that approving things takes time. It is a process of persuasion and analysis,” commented legislator and former presidential candidate, Eliécer Feinzaig, of the Partido Liberal Progresista (PLP).
For her part, Alejandra Larios, deputy leader of the Partido Liberación Nacional (PLN), explained that “it is very difficult to have credibility when you have a highly media-driven government that attacks institutions day in and day out.”
While Carlos Robles, of the Partido Unidad Social Cristiana (PUSC), indicated that citizens “expect you to act in a way that is contrary to your nature. We have a lot of opportunity for improvement, but we continue to be a power of the Republic at the service of the people.”
The Legislative Assembly of Costa Rica, composed of 57 legislators, forms the unicameral legislative branch of the government. Legislators are elected by direct, universal, popular vote on a closed party list proportional representation basis, by province, for four-year terms.
A constitutional amendment from 1949 prohibits legislators from serving consecutive terms, but are eligible to run for re-election after sitting out a term.
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