Uribismo to seek coalition for De la Espriella's agenda in Colombian Congress

Colombia's Democratic Center party, a key supporter of former President Álvaro Uribe, announced Monday its intention to forge a coalition in Congress. The party aims to back the legislative agenda of ultraconservative Abelardo de la Espriella, who preliminary results indicate has won the presidential election.

"Through delegates and spokespersons from the Senate and House, we will seek a coalition in Congress with other political forces," the uribista party stated in a release. "We will prepare a legislative agenda reconciled with the new government and other like-minded blocs, which will contribute to solving the problems of Colombians."

According to preliminary counts from the National Registry, De la Espriella secured 12,959,542 votes (49.66%), narrowly surpassing the leftist Iván Cepeda of the ruling Historic Pact party, who garnered 12,708,712 votes (48.70%). The margin is less than one percentage point, pending official scrutiny.

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Through delegates and spokespersons from the Senate and House, we will seek a coalition in Congress with other political forces. We will prepare a legislative agenda reconciled with the new government and other like-minded blocs, which will contribute to solving the problems of Colombians.

The Democratic Center, which backed De la Espriella after the first round of elections, recognized that his proposals align significantly with the party's long-standing ideals. "We are convinced that, with security as a democratic value, entrepreneurship and investor confidence, social cohesion as a mechanism to care for the neediest compatriots, and a small state with low taxes and transparency, we will rebuild Colombia," the party added.

In the legislative elections held in March, the uribista party secured 17 seats in the Senate, while the Historic Pact obtained 25. These results are subject to final confirmation by electoral authorities before the new legislative session begins on July 20.

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We are convinced that, with security as a democratic value, entrepreneurship and investor confidence, social cohesion as a mechanism to care for the neediest compatriots, and a small state with low taxes and transparency, we will rebuild Colombia.