The Congress passed in first reading a reduction of 25 billion colones from the state contribution to political parties for the 2018 and 2020 election campaigns.
The initiative, presented by legislator Otton Solís from Partido Acción Ciudadana (PAC), received 45 votes in favor and 1 against.
The reduction, from 0.19% to 0.11% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), will be implemented through a provisional article to the Electoral Code.
Solís pointed out that the reduction amounts to 45 million dollars, resources that, according to him, can be used to grant 92,000 Avancemos scholarships.
The legislator explained that his initiative aims to prevent an increase in the domestic debt.
The approved bill will be accompanied by a constitutional amendment with the same purpose.