Abel Pacheco's PUSC won just 19 of the 57 seats in the legislature, while the PLN won 17. The surprisingly strong showing of the third-party PAC, which won 14 seats, guaranteed a term characterized by negotiations and compromise.
Pacheco's predecessor, Miguel Angel Rodríguez, was criticized for allegedly using public funds to help run his meat and milk businesses and for having ties to the controversial Mexican politician, Carlos Hank. Pacheco is generally well-respected and the public hopes he will be successful in working with the other parties in fostering progress for the nation.
Because neither the president nor legislative representatives can run for more than one term, many office holders feel little accountability. Some observers of Costa Rican politics feel that constitutional reform to allow reelection would foster a more productive political environment.
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