The Liberal Party have begun campaigning for President Juan Manuel Santos’ re-election just 13 months into his presidency, Colombian media reported.
According to the president of the House of Representatives, Liberal Simon Gaviria Muñoz, “[the Liberal Party] would be very happy to be able to support Juan Manuel Santos in his re-election… Liberals feel very happy in the coalition government.”
The party devised the slogan: “There is nothing more ‘Santista’ (Santos supporter) than a liberal.”
However, Gaviria believes the government should adjust presidential responsibilities to restore the balance of power, such as not allowing the president to create the short lists for the Central Bank and other controlling bodies.
The opposition Polo Democratico Party is trying to overturn the constitutional amendment which allows Colombian presidents to seek a second term. The law was passed by the Constitutional Court in 2004 to allow the re-election of former President Alvaro Uribe.