Brunner, who took office on May 8, 2022, is among seven high-ranking officials in President Rodrigo Chaves Robles' administration who stepped down last week to pursue elected office in the upcoming vote, scheduled for February 2026.

Because of his position, Brunner’s resignation required congressional approval to take effect. After delays in the process, the vice president filed a complaint with the Supreme Elections Tribunal, arguing that the holdup threatened his political rights to participate as a candidate for deputy.

The tribunal sided with Brunner and ordered lawmakers to act on the matter. The Legislative Assembly voted in favor of accepting his resignation on Monday, making it official.

The wave of resignations includes several other top officials: Finance Minister Nogui Acosta; Juan Manuel Quesada, president of the Costa Rican Water and Sewer Institute; Housing Minister Ángela Mata; Women’s Affairs Minister Cindy Quesada; Esmeralda Britton, president of the Social Protection Board; and Marta Esquivel, Minister of National Planning and Economic Policy.

Second Vice President Mary Denisse Munive Angermüller continues to serve in her role and remains a member of the administration. She was also appointed Minister of Health in 2023.

Brunner is a Costa Rican economist and politician, and a current member of the Social Democratic Progress Party (Partido Progreso Social Democrático). He holds a Ph.D. in economics from the University of Kiel in Germany and a Master of Arts in economics from Indiana University Bloomington, United States.

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