Definition
The Citizens' Action Party (Spanish: Partido Acción Ciudadana, abbreviated PAC) is a centre‑left political party in Costa Rica that emphasizes social democracy, progressivism, anti‑corruption measures, and citizen participation in politics.
Overview
Founded on 3 December 2000 by dissidents from the National Liberation Party (PLN) and the Social Christian Unity Party (PUSC), PAC quickly emerged as a significant force in Costa Rican politics. Its platform advocates for increased transparency, social welfare, environmental sustainability, and opposition to certain free‑trade agreements such as CAFTA. The party’s first major electoral success came in the 2002 general election, when its founder and presidential candidate Ottón Solís obtained 26 % of the vote and the party secured 14 of the 57 seats in the Legislative Assembly. Since then, PAC has maintained a substantial parliamentary presence, winning 17 seats in 2006, 11 in 2010, 13 in 2014, and 13 again in 2018.
In the 2014 presidential election, PAC’s Luis Guillermo Solís won the presidency, marking the party’s first national executive victory. Carlos Alvarado Quesada, another PAC member, succeeded Solís in the 2018 election, also winning a second‑round runoff. The party holds affiliate status with the Progressive Alliance and maintains informal ties with other progressive and social‑democratic movements worldwide.
Etymology/Origin
The name Partido Acción Ciudadana translates directly to “Citizens’ Action Party,” reflecting its foundational goal of mobilising ordinary citizens to act against corruption and political complacency. The term “acción” (action) underscores the party’s emphasis on proactive civic engagement, while “ciudadana” (citizen) signals its orientation toward participatory democracy.
Characteristics
- Ideology: Social democracy, progressivism, anti‑corruption, environmentalism; positioned centre‑left on the political spectrum.
- Core Policies: Strengthening universal health care and social security, reforming the tax system toward greater progressivity, opposing selective free‑trade agreements, promoting transparency and accountability in public administration.
- Organisational Features: Open national conventions that allow any citizen to vote, regardless of party affiliation; a structure that encourages internal debate among factions such as the “ottonista” (more socially conservative) and “progresista” (more liberal) wings.
- Electoral Record: Consistently among the top three parties in legislative elections; presidential victories in 2014 (Luis Guillermo Solís) and 2018 (Carlos Alvarado Quesada).
- International Affiliation: Member of the Progressive Alliance; engages with progressive parties in Latin America and beyond.
Related Topics
- Political parties in Costa Rica
- Social democracy in Latin America
- Anti‑corruption movements
- Progressive Alliance (international political organization)
- Costa Rican legislative elections (2002, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018)
- Presidents of Costa Rica: Luis Guillermo Solís, Carlos Alvarado Quesada
All information is drawn from publicly available sources, primarily the Wikipedia entry “Citizens' Action Party (Costa Rica).”