PLN VOTE 2009
Araya Fails To
Win Support "His City"
Johnny Araya, who will be going back to his
old job as mayor of San José today, blames
his loss for the leadership of the Partido Liberación
Nacional (PLN) to political pressure by the
Arias government.
Araya lost the leadership race to Laura
Chinchila by more than 10% of the votes cast
on Sunday, telling his supporters at the end
of the day that they were up against forces
beyond their control.
"Pressure from the government of Oscar
Arias", according to Araya were the main
causes of his loss.
Araya had complained during the nomination
race of inappropriate practices by the Arias
government with an underlying message of
support for Laura Chinchilla, promoting its
accomplishments during the last three years.
In addition, Chinchilla, during the past
week of her campaign stressed her role in
the current government, which according to
her, has put Costa Rica back on track.
Stressing her vice-presidency in the Arias
government was left up to the last minute as
part of her strategy, Laura said in an
interview last week.
Laura Chinchilla stepped down as Costa
Rica's first vice-president last fall to
concentrate on her path to the presidency in
2010.
At a few minutes before 9:30pm, Araya
admitted defeat to Chinchilla with only less
than 20% of the votes counted.
"After a long day of civic action I now have
the responsibility to convert myself into
spokesperson for the more than 200.000 Costa
Ricans who share and supported our ideas",
Araya told his audience during his defeat
speech.
Interestingly enough, Araya failed to win
support in the city (San José) that he has
been mayor for the last 15 years and had
stepped down temporarily to run for party
leadership.
Araya got a 43% support in San José,
compared to Chinchilla's 54%.
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