Liberal Party senators on Tuesday officially agreed to join the coalition of “national unity” proposed by President-elect Juan Manuel Santos. Liberals in the House of Representatives are expected to do the same on Wednesday.
With only a small minority against, the Liberals voted to accept Santos’ government proposal, which allows the party to become part of the government under the new president.
The Liberals were part of the opposition during the two terms of current President Alvaro Uribe.
Liberal Party Senator Piedad Cordoba, one of the most vociferous opponents of the current government’s security policy, said on Twitter that she did not back the decision to support the new government.
While campaigning, Santos proposed to create a government of “national unity” that would include parties that under Uribe had been in the opposition.