Two of the three candidates for Colombia’s Prosecutor General, whose candidacy was rejected by the Supreme Court, insist they are qualified for the job and will not withdraw their candidacy.
After months of indecisiveness of the country’s highest court, the Supreme Court returned the shortlist of candidates to President Alvaro Uribe Thursday, claiming none of the three candidates were qualified.
In interviews with radio station LA FM, candidates Virginia Uribe (no family of the President) and Juan Angel Palacio insist they are qualified and that they maintain their candidacy for the job.
The candidates want the court to show why it thinks the candidates are not qualified.
According to Caracol radio, the Presidency will also refuse to withdraw its candidates and is expected to reiterate its support for all three candidates. However, the government has not yet officially responded to the news.
NGOs earlier denounced that none of the President’s candidates have any experience in penal law and could therefore not lead the federal prosecution.
Especially Palacio is subject to controversy after recordings appeared of the former magistrate of the State Council attempting to bribe a colleague.
Third candidate Camilo Ospina has not yet responded to the Court’s refusal to appoint a new Prosecutor General.