Politician opposing abortions elected president in Costa Rica

Statue "Pro-Life". Photo: Mirek Krajewski/Family News Service

On February 4, 2026, it became known about the victory of Laura Virginia Fernandez in the presidential elections in Costa Rica. The politician, who openly declares her Catholic faith and advocates for the protection of life and against abortions, will take office on May 8. This is reported by Vatican news.

Fernandez won already in the first round, receiving 48.3% of the votes, which allowed her to avoid a second round. Her party – the Sovereign People's Party – also gained a majority in parliament, winning 31 out of 57 mandates.

The newly elected president consistently opposes abortions, defending the principle of protecting life "from conception to natural death." During her work in the previous government, she supported the repeal of norms that expanded access to abortions.

Since October 2025, the country only allows so-called "therapeutic abortion" – exclusively when there is a direct threat to the mother's life. Fernandez considers such restrictions necessary for protecting unborn children.

In her program, she named the protection of life, family, and traditional values as one of her priorities. Fernandez's victory was welcomed by Catholic bishops of Costa Rica, who promised her prayerful support.

Earlier, the UOJ wrote that the Polish Pro-Life Movement condemned the European Parliament's resolution on abortions.

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