Colombia’s Green Party refused jobs offered by Bogota Mayor Gustavo Petro in a statement released Monday night.
Petro offered jobs to five Green Party council members in exchange for their participation in a coalition proposed by Petro.
The Green Party responded, “We feel the responsible thing to do is abstain from participating in Mayor Gustavo Petro’s government. This gives us the independence to support what we think is pertinent for the city.”
The Greens said their aim was to be constructive opposition. “We express our decision to contribute to the construction of a wide political agreement, without risking our independence,” a spokesperson said.