In a matter of one hour, the presidential candidate of the Citizen Action Party (PAC), Carlos Alvarado, changed his position regarding the urgency for the Legislative Assembly to approve a fast track for new taxes.
After a meeting with legislators of the National Liberation Party ( PLN ) on Monday, he said he does not agree with the intention of the Executive Power to vote on the abbreviated procedure before the second round of elections, which will be held on April 1st.
I am committed to advancing this procedure, but we have to let the elections run and the Costa Ricans make a decision. I agree with seeing a fast track, but not before the elections,”
said the candidate at approximately 2:30 p.m.
However, his speech later changed after meeting with the fraction of the Christian Social Unity Party (PUSC).
I also see, if Don Fabricio (Alvarado) joins, we would have the conditions to opt for a fast track, which is important for this country. I would see that there is a possibility of maintaining this dialogue to materialize a fast track,”
said Alvarado at around 3:30 p.m.
When asked about the turnaround he gave in a short time, he replied:
I think speaking before April is hasty, but it also has to do with legislative dynamics. We will have to see the dynamics of the motion that was raised as part of the agreement, and I see a space to dialogue and give viability to that motion.”
He added that the approval of the abbreviated procedure, for which 38 votes are required, has to take place in the current legislature, which will end on April 30th.
The fiscal reform proposed by the Government includes the creation of the Value Added Tax (VAT) with a rate of 13% and an extension of the base to more goods and services with a differentiated rate. In addition, it contains a reform to the income tax and bills to contain public spending.