Rodrigo Chaves was inaugurated as the new president of Costa Rica on Sunday, promising to combat corruption and revitalize the economy.

The former World Bank economist won a four-year term in a runoff against former President Jose Mara Figueres, implicated in a corruption scandal last month.

In February's first-round election, Chaves' predecessor Carlos Alvarado's party was nearly wiped out, gaining no seats in the new Legislative Assembly.

Chaves' Social Democratic Progressive Party holds only 10 of 57 legislative seats, and he unexpectedly qualified for the runoff after finishing fourth in the first round.

What was Chaves' message to voters?

Shortly after receiving the ceremonial presidential sash, Chaves criticized the country's situation, citing the high cost of living, crime, drug trafficking, and long lineups at social security offices.

He cautioned that "if the political class fails one more time, the country could fall apart."

Chaves said, "We will not only put the house in order, we will rebuild it," "Change is required immediately. I refuse to accept defeat. Costa Rica is not required to concede defeat."

Commitments to women's rights

Chaves also pledged to eradicate gender inequality and the mistreatment of women, as adjacent feminist groups demonstrated.

The 60-year-old former finance minister was reminded at the gathering of the sexual harassment charges that led to his resignation from the World Bank.

An internal inquiry revealed that from 2008 to 2013, Chaves made unwanted comments regarding the physical appearances of various bank workers and unwanted sexual attempts.

Last month, he expressed "sincere apologies" to two young subordinate accusers after previously claiming that the alleged harassment was nothing more than "jokes" that were "misinterpreted."

Nearly 100 countries sent delegations and heads of state or government, including King Felipe VI of Spain, to the inauguration.

Shortly after delivering his inaugural address, Chaves issued his first decrees, including the abolition of mandatory mask-wearing for most citizens.

Chaves has a lengthy task list.

With over 5 million, Costa Rica is regarded as one of the most politically stable nations in Central America.

However, social inequity, corruption, famine, and drug trafficking plague the nation.

Chaves inherits an economy in decline, characterized by mounting foreign debt (about 70% of GDP), a poverty rate of 23%, unemployment of roughly 14%, and public sector corruption.

Tourism, one of the country's key economic drivers, was severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in a sharp increase in unemployment.

Chaves had already pledged to alter the terms of a $1.7 billion (€1.6 billion) loan agreement between Costa Rica and the IMF.