President Rodrigo Chaves is employing a legislative strategy to definitively bury the initiative for low-cost flights between Central American countries and Costa Rica. He has withdrawn 90 legislative projects from the extraordinary sessions agenda, leaving only the low-cost flight bill for consideration. This bill, previously vetoed by Chaves, requires a qualified majority (38 votes) to overturn the veto.
The bill, initially supported by 34 congresspeople, faces opposition from government legislators and others who argue that cheaper flights could negatively impact domestic tourism. They claim that the project needs 38 votes to pass but currently lacks the necessary support.
Deputy Eliécer Feinzaig, the bill's proponent, accused President Chaves of acting like a “whiny child” and retaliating against him for his criticism of the president's work report. Feinzaig argues that if the project fails, it would negatively affect Costa Ricans who would benefit, including athletes, freelancers, and small businesses.
The outcome remains uncertain, with a potential vote delayed due to a quorum break. The final decision on the bill will depend on whether the opposition can secure the necessary votes. The official stance is that the opposition needs to secure the votes; they will not actively seek them.