Gustavo Petro will take command of the Historic Pact after leaving the Presidency of Colombia

The president of Colombia, Gustavo Petro, agreed to assume the presidency of the Historic Pact after leaving the head of state on August 7 and taking a vacation. The invitation was made by senator Iván Cepeda during an event in the city of Tunja, on Sunday (19).

In a post on social media on Sunday night, Petro wrote that he accepted the proposal presented by Cepeda. “I was asked, in Tunja, in the words of the senator, and who should be the one who will take over as president of Colombia tomorrow, Iván Cepeda, to be president of the Historic Pact, when he leaves the presidency of the Republic and a vacation that I believe I deserve, as I did not have it during four years of government. I accept my party’s proposal”, he announced.

The president also declared that he intends to strengthen the role of the opposition bench to the far-right government of Aberlado de la Espriella in Congress. “I hope for a united bench and, therefore, I asked for the strictest rules of the bench and for all voting to be truly, truly, public.”

Petro also asked that parliamentarians from the party and from the Alliance for Life not to support candidates for the presidency of the Legislative Houses who, according to him, represent a coalition that seeks to “criminalize politics and end freedom and democracy”.

“Tomorrow [20 de julho]I expect a unanimous and public decision from the bench, even in your individual vote, that will help prevent political and social wear and tear”, he wrote in a post on social media on Sunday night.

The president also said that the party intends to maintain political activity after the end of his term. “We are not going for simple symbolic acts, but to make progressive politics effective. “We will move towards peace and social justice and for a national agreement that avoids violent confrontation between Colombians and we will seek to help with the democratic stability of the countries that freed Simón Bolívar”, defended Petro.

Opposition in Congress

The Historic Pact reported that it will oppose the government of elected president Abelardo de la Espriella in Congress. Deputies and senators take office this Monday (20). In a statement, the party declared that it will exercise “a democratic, firm, responsible and alternative opposition” and stated that it will defend “the progressive legacy” of the Petro government. The party also asked that the governing boards of the Senate and the Chamber guarantee the rights of the opposition, pluralism and free public deliberation.

The internal reorganization of the Historic Pact is also under discussion. A committee is preparing to convene a party congress to define the direction of the party. Among the topics is the role that Petro will play after leaving the Presidency. Part of the party advocates that he assume national leadership, while other members believe that he should remain as “natural leader”.

Before leaving office, Petro called for demonstrations for July 20 in defense of his government’s social reforms. “On July 20, the second cry for national independence. I invite citizens to gather in all public squares in the country for social reforms for the benefit of the people. Colombia with dignity and for life.”