Colombia's Centro Democrático Declares Itself Government Party After De la Espriella's Election Win

The Centro Democrático party, a significant political force in Colombia led by former President Álvaro Uribe, has declared itself the governing party in Congress following the preliminary presidential election results.

The party, which holds 47 seats in Congress, announced its intention to collaborate with the president-elect, Abelardo de la Espriella. They stated their commitment to supporting his agenda, which focuses on restoring security, fostering a fraternal economy, promoting economic growth, and creating more opportunities for Colombians.

De la Espriella, representing the far-right, appears to have secured a narrow victory over leftist candidate Iván Cepeda. Preliminary counts from the National Registry Office show De la Espriella with approximately 12.9 million votes (49.66%) compared to Cepeda's 12.7 million votes (48.70%). This election is noted as one of the closest in recent Colombian history, with official results still being confirmed.

The Centro Democrático had previously backed De la Espriella in the first round of the elections, recognizing that his platform aligned with the party's long-standing principles. The party's statement highlighted a shared ideology with the president-elect.

Meanwhile, De la Espriella's team is reportedly evaluating candidates for his cabinet and planning the transition process. He is expected to announce his government team members in the coming days. The election outcome and the subsequent alignment of the Centro Democrático signal a significant shift in Colombia's political landscape.