Óscar Izquierdo Withdraws from PLN Presidential Primary Consideration
Key Political Figure Opts for Party Cohesion Over Personal Ambition
Óscar Izquierdo, the head of the parliamentary faction of Costa Rica's Partido Liberación Nacional (PLN), announced on Wednesday his decision not to enter the race as a pre-candidate for the party's presidential nomination.
Izquierdo emphasized that his current role as a deputy and faction leader could potentially disrupt the unity and future of the PLN if he participated in the internal convention.
"After much reflection and considering the generous opinions from many of you, I have decided not to offer my name as a pre-candidate for the presidential nomination of our beloved Liberación Nacional for the upcoming elections," Izquierdo stated in an official communication.
The legislator reiterated his commitment to working towards strengthening the party's cohesion and legislative performance from his current leadership position.
Joining Izquierdo in his announcement is fellow deputy Montserrat Ruiz, who has also declared her intention not to run in the PLN's internal presidential primary.
Ruiz expressed her continued focus on legislative duties and her active participation in the party's internal processes, as well as in the renewal of its structural components, through a separate statement.
At present, fellow PLN deputies Gilberth Jiménez Siles and Carolina Delgado Ramírez have declared their candidacies for the party’s presidential nomination.
Likewise, economist Marvin Taylor Dormond and former Foreign Affairs and Justice Minister Enrique Castillo Barrantes have announced their presidential bids.
Miguel Guillén, the secretary general of the PLN, confirmed last week that Álvaro Ramos, the former executive president of the Costa Rican Social Security Fund (CCSS), will also contest for the candidacy.
The PLN plans to conduct the registration for presidential pre-candidates from Monday, January 20th to Friday, January 24th.
Interested individuals must schedule an appointment with the National Superior Executive Committee and the PLN's Internal Elections Tribunal (TEI) by January 10th.
Each prospective candidate is required to submit a political program, gather 420 party endorsements, make a financial contribution to the party, and meet the requirement of having no criminal convictions or proceedings.
The PLN convention is open to participation from the public.
[Read More: Deputy Gilbert Jiménez Launches Presidential Pre-Candidacy for the PLN]
Izquierdo emphasized that his current role as a deputy and faction leader could potentially disrupt the unity and future of the PLN if he participated in the internal convention.
"After much reflection and considering the generous opinions from many of you, I have decided not to offer my name as a pre-candidate for the presidential nomination of our beloved Liberación Nacional for the upcoming elections," Izquierdo stated in an official communication.
The legislator reiterated his commitment to working towards strengthening the party's cohesion and legislative performance from his current leadership position.
Joining Izquierdo in his announcement is fellow deputy Montserrat Ruiz, who has also declared her intention not to run in the PLN's internal presidential primary.
Ruiz expressed her continued focus on legislative duties and her active participation in the party's internal processes, as well as in the renewal of its structural components, through a separate statement.
At present, fellow PLN deputies Gilberth Jiménez Siles and Carolina Delgado Ramírez have declared their candidacies for the party’s presidential nomination.
Likewise, economist Marvin Taylor Dormond and former Foreign Affairs and Justice Minister Enrique Castillo Barrantes have announced their presidential bids.
Miguel Guillén, the secretary general of the PLN, confirmed last week that Álvaro Ramos, the former executive president of the Costa Rican Social Security Fund (CCSS), will also contest for the candidacy.
The PLN plans to conduct the registration for presidential pre-candidates from Monday, January 20th to Friday, January 24th.
Interested individuals must schedule an appointment with the National Superior Executive Committee and the PLN's Internal Elections Tribunal (TEI) by January 10th.
Each prospective candidate is required to submit a political program, gather 420 party endorsements, make a financial contribution to the party, and meet the requirement of having no criminal convictions or proceedings.
The PLN convention is open to participation from the public.
[Read More: Deputy Gilbert Jiménez Launches Presidential Pre-Candidacy for the PLN]