Uribe to run again

juancegomez says on Oct 19, 2005, 17:03:

Watching it live on TV right now. The Court overwhelmingly voted in favor, from what the tally of the different decisions (in response to the different demands presented before the Court by critics) thus far shows.

Of course, Uribe's way to reelection is not clear yet. Not at all.

As sitting president, he apparently may not be able to stand for reelection in 2006 unless the "Law of (Electoral) Guarantees", which will be examined next by the Constitutional Court (taking up to a month in its review process), is approved and implemented by then.

The Uribistas in Congress had tried to get over this by including a clause in the reelection reform for the "Law of Guarantees" to be decreed by the State Council (in a way parallel to what the Constitutional Assembly once assigned to it, but in a different context), in the case of its abscence.

The Constitutional Court, however, has decided that the State Council cannot be given legislative functions. So that ship has just sunk.

Hence another round of nail-bitting for opponents and supporters is likely, until the Court has reviewed the Law of Guarantees sometime in November.

Still, I guess now all former presidents are able to run for the presidency if they want.

juancegomez says on Oct 19, 2005, 17:26:

Now the mainstream press has reported it Colombia OKs President Re-Election Law

9 minutes ago

BOGOTA, Colombia - Colombia's highest court on Wednesday approved a law allowing presidents to run for second terms. But President Alvaro Uribe, a staunch U.S. ally, faces another hurdle before he can seek re-election next year.

In a landmark ruling, the nine-member Constitutional Court voted to approve legislation passed by Congress last year that scraps a ban on presidential re-election, said court president Manuel Jose Cepeda.

Polls show that the popular Uribe would sweep to victory in next May's presidential vote if permitted to run, thanks to his tough military policies against leftist rebels and drug traffickers.

But Uribe, 53, must still wait for a court verdict on a second law passed by Congress before his name can officially appear on the ballot in the May elections. That measure would establish rules for incumbents seeking second terms in an attempt ensure they don't abuse their power for electoral gain.

A ruling on the Electoral Guarantees Law is expected sometime in November.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20051020/ap_on_re_la_am_ca/colombia_president_1

platano says on Oct 19, 2005, 18:09:

As Tinto announced and I agree with him... Expect a ruling before February because...

¡CASI LLEGA DICIEMBRE! (I can already hear the villancicos and smell the natilla)

Nada de politica... salsa!!!!

Translation: Not much happens politically in December/January. Still a court decision this momentous is a possibility. ¡Esos güebones trabajan mucho!

Plátano X
Oxigeno Verde ¡Libertad por Ingrid y los demás!

plátano

protocol13 says on Oct 20, 2005, 00:42:

Per El Tiempo and CaracolTV Constitutional Court has allowed Uribe to run for reelection in the next presidential election -2006. The ruling on the "law of electoral guarantees" will not be an impediment to prevent Uribe for seeking the presidency in 2006.

juancegomez says on Oct 20, 2005, 15:24:

"The ruling on the "law of electoral guarantees" will not be an impediment to prevent Uribe for seeking the presidency in 2006."

That in itself is still quite open to debate, as the President of the Constitutional Court himself has declared to media outlets. Hence I wouldn't rush to dismiss the importance of the November ruling on the matter.