The Committee on Economic Affairs endorsed a bill to cut state spending in the election campaigns of 2022 and 2024.
On Tuesday, the legislators affirmatively ruled a reform to the Electoral Code promoted by the José María Villalta, from Frente Amplio (FA).
The initiative aims to reduce, the amount allocated to finance the national and municipal campaigns of 2022 and 2024 from 0.19% to 0.11%, respectively.
According to article 96 of the Political Constitution, the state contribution to campaign financing is 0.19% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the previous year to hold the election for President, Vice-Presidents of the Republic and legislators to the Legislative Assembly. But it indicates that the law will determine in which cases a reduction of said percentage may be agreed.
The measure would generate a cost reduction of more than ¢30 billion, if the GDP estimated by the Central Bank of Costa Rica (BCCR) for 2019 is taken into account.
The bill will now be passed to the Legislative Plenary for discussion and vote in two regulatory debates.