May 1st in Costa Rica
May 1st is a legal holiday in Cosa Rica, "el dia del trabajador" - workers day - were all banks, government offices, industry and the majority of businesses are closed, giving their workers a day to rest.

However, it is also an important day for the lawmakers and leaders of the country.

On May 1, the president makes his annual report to the country. This May 1 will mark the first anniversary of President Oscar Arias' first year of his second term in office. It is also the day when legislators vote to elect a new president of the Legislative Assembly.

This year the voting for a new assembly leader is intense, as no candidate for the job dares to claim victory.

Francisco Antonio Pacheco of the Partido Liberación Nacional (PLN) - the ruling party - is being challenged by several other candidates who are firm on removing the PLN from the steering seat.

Challengin Pacheco are Francisco Molina of the Partido Acción Ciudadana (PAC), the Partido Unidad Social Cristiana (PUSC) is backing Jorge Sánchez and the Movimiento Libertario (ML) is counting on Mario Quirós, as the tugging and pulling continues.

To get the nod, the winning candidate has to obtain 29 votes. Best best is on the "verdiblanco" - green and white - the colours of the PLN, as Pacheco counted with a confirmed 28 vote of yesterday (Monday).