Costa Ricans underwhelmed by options for next president

Costa Ricans will vote Sunday for a new president amid widespread apathy, an unending string of controversies between the candidates and no clear favorite

SAN JOSE, Costa Rica -- Costa Ricans will vote Sunday for a new president amid widespread apathy, an unending string of controversies between the candidates and no clear favorite.

Ex-President José María Figueres and Rodrigo Chaves, a former treasury minister for the outgoing administration of Carlos Alvarado, topped a first round of voting in February, but neither drew near the 40% required to avoid Sunday’s runoff.

For many Costa Ricans it will be a matter of holding their noses and choosing the less offensive candidate.

Eduardo Molina, a 41-year-old shop owner, said he still had not made up his mind between Chaves and Figueroa.