President Rodrigo Chaves-Robles announced Wednesday that seven senior government officials, including Vice President Stephan Brunner, have resigned from his administration to run for legislative office in the 2026 Presidential Election.

Chaves announced during a press conference, following a cabinet meeting at the Presidential House in San José, that the resignations, effective Thursday, comply with Costa Rican electoral law, which requires government officials seeking to run for Congress to step down before August 1, 2025.

In addition to Brunner, the departing officials are:

• Nogui Acosta, Minister of Finance.

• Juan Manuel Quesada, President of the Costa Rican Water and Sewer Institute (AyA).

• Ángela Mata, Minister of Housing.

• Cindy Quesada, Minister of Women’s Affairs.

• Esmeralda Britton, President of the Social Protection Board.

• Marta Esquivel, Minister of National Planning and Economic Policy.

Chaves emphasized that he has no intention of stepping down himself, even though the law permits the sitting president to run for a legislative seat if they resign on time. Presidential reelection is prohibited under the country's constitution.

“The decision is to remain president of the republic,  I’m not going to resign,” Chaves told reporters. He added that the officials who stepped down are pursuing “their desire to continue serving Costa Rica from other spaces.”

Chaves is expected to announce replacements for the departing officials in the coming hours.

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How could this wave of high-level resignations impact President Chaves’ administration and its ability to govern effectively? We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to news@amcostarica.com