Costa Rica's Congress unanimously reelects Justice Jorge Olaso for another eight years, and the ruling party changes its stance

The magistrate of the Second Chamber was reelected for eight more years with the support of the 50 legislators present. Credit: Legislative Assembly Costa Rica's Legislative Assembly unanimously approved the reelection of Jorge Enrique Olaso Álvarez as magistrate of the Second Chamber of the Supreme Court of Justice, allowing him to remain in the position for eight more years, until 2034. The decision received the backing of the 50 legislators present in the Legislative Plenary, who agreed in highlighting the magistrate's professional track record, his ability to resolve case files, and his experience in labor and family matters. The vote on file 25.812 also marked a shift in the position of the ruling Sovereign People's Party (PPSO), which backed Olaso's continuation after having opposed the reelection of three other members of the Supreme Court of Justice. During the legislative debate, representatives of various caucuses highlighted the magistrate's experience and his knowledge of the main challenges facing the Costa Rican judicial system. One of the central arguments was his performance in resolving cases. According to the figures presented during the debate, between 2018 and September 2026, Olaso's office received 4,310 case files and resolved 4,301 — a figure used by legislators to support his continuation. The legislators also noted that the magistrate has contributed to the development of legal criteria in matters related to labor rights and family relations. The debate emphasized that his experience allows him to understand the difficulties faced by judicial offices, particularly regarding judicial delays and the need to ensure timely rulings. The Appointments Committee had already unanimously recommended his reelection on October 27, after reviewing his professional background and hearing him in an audience. The legislators also noted that they found no ethical, disciplinary, or performance-related issues serious enough to justify opposing his continuation. The legislators highlighted Olaso's experience in labor and family matters and his performance in resolving case files. One of the most politically significant aspects of the vote was the support of the Sovereign People's Party, a group that had previously defended the need to renew the magistracies of the Supreme Court of Justice. In the reelection processes of Julia Varela, Jorge Araya, and Patricia Solano, the ruling party had spoken out against their continuation, arguing the need to drive changes within the Judicial Branch. However, on this occasion, the party decided to back Olaso. During the debate, ruling party legislator José Miguel Villalobos explained that the caucus changed its position due to the difficulties in reaching agreements with the other caucuses on judicial reelections. The legislator stated that the ruling party will analyze future processes individually, taking into consideration the characteristics and backgrounds of each magistrate. The decision drew criticism from opposition legislators, who pointed out discrepancies between the judicial renewal discourse previously defended by Sovereign People and its support for Olaso. Another element that emerged during the discussion was that Olaso was part of the group of seven magistrates who voted against requesting the lifting of immunity of former president Rodrigo Chaves in July 2025, when the possibility of his facing criminal charges for alleged extortion was being discussed. This circumstance was mentioned by opposition legislators during the political debate, although it does not by itself prove that it determined the ruling party's change of position. The reelection of Jorge Olaso takes place amid political discussions about the continuity of Supreme Court of Justice magistrates. Credit: El Observador The Political Constitution establishes that magistrates of the Supreme Court of Justice are appointed for eight-year terms and may be reelected successively. To prevent their continuation, the vote of at least 38 legislators is required, equivalent to two-thirds of the total members of the Legislative Assembly. In Olaso's case, the vote was held on his non-reelection: none of the 50 participating legislators supported blocking his continuation, so a new term was confirmed. The magistrate had formalized his reelection request on September 29, as his constitutional term was set to expire on November 14, 2026. The Appointments Committee also unanimously recommended, on November 4, the reelection of Roxana Chacón as magistrate of the Second Chamber. Her continuation must be discussed by the Legislative Plenary in the coming days and could become a new test of the position adopted by the ruling party on judicial appointments. For now, Olaso's reelection represents a consensus among the five legislative caucuses, amid a period marked by intense political debates over the independence of the Judicial Branch and the continuity of its highest authorities.