Laura Chinchilla, presidential candidate for the National Liberation Party, speaks to supporters during a rally marking the start of her election campaign in San Jose, Jan. 31, 2010. (Juan Carlos Ulate/Reuters)

Costa Rica: A woman in charge?

Costa Rica could elect its first female president. Given its progressive laws on women in politics, it's a wonder it's taken this long.

By Alex Leff , GlobalPost
Published: February 6, 2010 09:54 ET

SAN JOSE, Costa Rica — Laura Chinchilla’s four-year To Do list: Reduce extreme poverty. End the energy monopoly. Tax the casinos to help fund the fight against crime.

Chinchilla (pronounced chinchEEyuh) has consistently led in the polls and a victory in Sunday's elections would make her the country's first female president. She's currently teetering near the 40 percent mark...

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Costa Rica elects woman president

Mother Jungle - Costa Rica - February 8, 2010 08:27 ET

Laura Chinchilla won more than the required 40 percent of votes to land the title as first woman president of Costa Rica. The contenders didn’t seem to even come close, gaining at the time of poll closing, only in the 20 percentile for their parties. It’s being...

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