Costa Rica is a democratic, free and independent, according to its Constitution, promulgated in 1949 and today is still in force.


Powers of the Republic

Executive power is vested in a president (head of state and government) and two vice presidents, each of whom is elected by direct popular vote for four-year terms that can not be re-elected in succession. Each candidate must receive more than 40% of the total number of votes cast. Exercising the right to vote is a duty and a right for all citizens over 18 years.

Legislative power is exercised in Costa Rica by a single chamber, the Legislative Assembly, consisting of 57 deputies or legislators who are elected for four years and can not be re-elected in succession.

The judiciary in Costa Rica lies in the Supreme Court, composed of 22 judges appointed by the Legislature for a period of eight years, and can be reappointed indefinitely. There is no death penalty. Besides the three powers above, the internal structure of the State recognizes two constitutional bodies are independent: the Supreme Electoral Tribunal, which is responsible for organizing, directing and monitoring all actions relating to suffrage, and which comprises judges elected by the Supreme Court to cover periods of six years, and the Comptroller General of the Republic, exercising supreme supervision of public finances with full functional independence.