However, the union was starting to break and Ulate unsuccessfully presented a separate list of Unification candidates for Congress.

[3] In the main opposition force and by then dominant-party PLN, the nominee had been the historical leader and twice president before José Figueres.

Figueres was selected after a primary election (or National Convention as they're known in Costa Rica) in which he defeated then Congressman and former Secretary General of the party, Rodrigo Carazo.

Ulate promised them the support of this party, but PUN's General Assembly did not follow his lead and endorsed Echandi's candidacy.

Communism was still illegal at the time, but the prohibition was flexible on non-explicitly Marxist parties, and several leaders were already questioning the antidemocratic nature of the measure and calling for it to be lifted, including Figueres himself.