The Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) of Costa Rica delivered the presidential credential to Laura Fernández this Tuesday, accrediting her as the elected president of the country, a position she obtained with 48.53% of the vote in the elections held last February 1. In an official ceremony, the TSE also delivered credentials to Francisco Ernesto Gamboa and Douglas Soto, accrediting them as the first and second vice presidents of the country, respectively. 'Thanks to the 1,243,141 Costa Ricans who voted for me, thank you, they allowed me to win in the first round with a resounding mandate, but also to all Costa Ricans who did not vote for me but who today recognize me legitimately as their president, for you I will work tirelessly,' declared Fernández. 'The one on February 1 was a free, democratic election, full of joy, enthusiasm, and hope, guided by the faith of our people that the best is yet to come,' she added in her speech. The elected president also thanked her family, campaign team, her political party, and its members, as well as the current president, Rodrigo Chaves. The new authorities will take office on May 8, when they swear before the Legislative Assembly. 'The delivery of the credential is an event of immense satisfaction because it concludes the electoral process (...) We say mission accomplished with the highest international standards as citizens deserve, from a country that, together with Canada and Uruguay, is one of the three full democracies on our continent,' affirmed the president of the TSE, Eugenia Zamora. Fernández, a candidate for the Pueblo Soberano (PPSO) party, will become the 50th ruler of Costa Rica when she takes office on May 8. She is the second woman in history to hold the top executive position in Costa Rica.
