Revista de la Mañana. Colombia reforma política 2018

Abstract

Representative Ángela María Robledo strongly criticizes the current Political Reform being debated in the Colombian Congress, calling it 'window dressing' (maquillaje) that fails to address the fundamental flaws of the electoral system. The congresswoman points out that the elements she and the opposition considered essential were eliminated: 100% state financing of campaigns (to break the link with corruption), democratic openness to citizen participation by signatures outside the party structure, and the reform of the functioning of the National Electoral Council and the Registrar's Office (Registraduría). The only remaining points, which the opposition will work to defeat, are the closed list with parity (lista cremallera, or 'zipper list') and the limit of three terms for congress members in each corporate body, which could total up to 24 years of career service. Robledo also denounced the use of 'mermelada' (a colloquial term for government favors and resources) to secure votes, pointing to the unusual presence in Congress of high-ranking government officials, such as the director of the Department of Social Prosperity, Susana Correa. This, she insinuated, suggested they were pressuring congress members to approve the reform. Finally, the Representative called for a public hearing to address the excessive use of force by ESMAD (Mobile Anti-Riot Squadron) against the student movement, condemning the violence and the case of the student who lost an eye. She emphasized that the students are the true 'people of the year' for bringing the value of public universities back to the national agenda, and concluded by calling for a vote for a district administration that does not turn its back on public interests