Costa Rica’s leader ends president worship

| 26/06/2014

(CNS): There will be no lifetime honours, accolades or buildings named after the newly elected president of Costa Rica, who has decreed that he does not want his image posted on walls, his name on plaques at public buildings or any other displays of presidential worship. Objecting to the usual glorification of national leaders, Luis Guillermo Solis, who was sworn in office last month, has said he doesn’t want his portrait hung in public offices or his name on public projects, as he said it gives the wrong impression.

“The works are from the country and not from a government or a particular official," he told international reporters after signing a decree that puts an end to the worship of the president.

Future commemorative plaques will only bear the year the project was inaugurated rather than the name of the administration, said the new leader, who, based on the election results, is nevertheless a popular choice.

Solis, from the country’s centre-left Citizen Action Party (PAC), took 31% of the vote in the first round of the presidential election in February. Solis then got so much support, his main rival decided to stop campaigning and effectively dropped out of the second round race, leaving him to take 78% of the national vote.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Category: World News

About the Author ()

Comments (19)

Trackback URL | Comments RSS Feed

  1. Otherview says:

    I didn't know Jon Lovitz was elected President of Costa Rica!

  2. Anonymous says:

    He is ….  Enlightened !

  3. Whodatis says:

    I wonder if David Cameron and the self-righteous law-makers of Westminster will follow his lead?

    I highly doubt it – and I doubt many people will take kindly to this post.

    *Note the hypocrisy.

    • Anonymous says:

      oh please talk about Cayman first.  All the schools and the airport. everything have to be named after someone.  It's disgusting and I'm a Caymanian.

      • Whodatis says:

        Actually, we should talk about every country at the same time.

        In this thread I have seen references to Cayman and even as far as Russia. Understand that when some folks say "all governments should" they are not including certain "special" governments.

        However, the USA, UK, France etc. are all guilty of dedicating infrastructure, airports, roads etc. to its former officials.

        Furthermore, bringing it back home, how many of our sites have been named "in honor" of the royals. Let someone dare suggest to rename "The Queen's Highway" or the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park today and see the official furore that will ensue.

        Be careful how you ride along certain popular waves, my fellow Caymanian. Not every swimmer next to you will help you when you crash ashore. Remember that.

        *I support the Solis' stance in this regard, however, I am also wise enough to spot b.s. when I read it.

        Unless everyone is humble enough to apply the same standards across the global board then it becomes nothing but another tactic of implied superiority.

        Just sayin' …

        • Anonymous says:

          And are you wise enough to spot your 'one trick' and put it into a few words for us?

          • Whodatis says:

            Ummm, for future reference poster, when addressing Whodatis – either speak to the issue at hand or kindly stfu.

            Thanks,

             – Whodatis aka "Your Daddy"

  4. Anonymous says:

    Putin would never understand this. Mad as a self inflated Hatter.

  5. Anonymous says:

    I would rather retire there than have to constantly hear the trash from our politicians here.

  6. 8th Generation Baya says:

    All hail King Mac!

  7. Anonymous says:

    I bet President Solis was not a landscaper before running for political office…

  8. Anonymous says:

    Cayman's politicians could learn a lot from this…but of course they won't, too full of their own importance.

  9. Anonymous says:

    Kudos to The Costa Rican leader …. all governments should adopt a similar practice. Instaed of promoting themselves they should work hard and practice humility.

  10. The Janitor says:

    True statesmanship!

  11. Anonymous says:

    An honest politican?

  12. Anonymous says:

    Not the same attitude from the Eternally Honorable Bush.

    • MEM says:

      I fear you may have just given him an idea for his new title!!! 'Eternally Honourable', packs a punch! Hopefully he doesn't read this article or new legislation will soon be underway!

      • Anonymous says:

        I don't think you need to worry about him getting much done anymore. 

  13. Anonymous says:

    Excellent and noteworthy!!!