57% of Colombians, 6% fewer than two months ago, would re-elect President Alvaro Uribe if elections were held now, according to a poll published Thursday.
Despite his declining popular support, the president is still significantly more popular than any of the current presidential candidates.
Second to Uribe in the poll, which was released by broadcaster RCN and weekly Semana, is leftist Polo Democratico candidate Gustavo Petro, with 9% of the vote.
Former Medellin mayor Sergio Fajardo had that support of 5%, and Liberal Party candidate Rafael Pardo of 4% in the poll.
Other candidates received lower proportions of the vote.
According to Colombia’s constitution, Uribe is not allowed to run for a third term. The constitutional court is currently studying an amendment, approved by Congress, that would allow the president to run again. Interior and Justice Minister Fabio Valencia said Uribe will decide on his re-election aspirations after the ruling of the constitutional court.
Colombia’s presidential election will be held in May 2010.