Colombian President Gustavo Petro plans to hold a special election for citizens to vote on stalled health and labor reforms. He accused Congress of ignoring public interests. The reforms aim to overhaul healthcare and labor policies but have faced opposition. A popular consultation requires Senate approval and significant voter participation.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro announced plans for a special election aimed at allowing citizens to directly vote on proposed labor and health reforms that have been stalled in Congress. The president criticized the Senate for allegedly undermining public interests and siding with an oligarchy, suggesting that lawmakers were neglecting voter needs.
During a nationally aired address, Petro urged his supporters to rally for the reforms, emphasizing the need for direct public involvement in decision-making. He stated, “We have searched in our constitution for a path that will enable people to make decisions without intermediaries,” urging citizens to choose between liberation or subjugation.
The call for a referendum emerged after eight senators publicly declared their intention to vote against the president’s health reform in a key committee. Petro has faced challenges in passing legislation, partly due to his party’s lack of majority in Congress.
In his 2022 campaign, Petro promised comprehensive health reforms, including eliminating private insurance companies and establishing a government agency to manage social security funds. However, legislators have rejected these proposals, citing concerns over centralization of power and government capability in managing large populations.
Petro’s labor reform proposals include higher pay for night shift workers and increased regulation on short-term contracts. The proposed popular consultation requires Senate approval and mandates presenting binary questions to voters. To validate the results, participation from at least one-third of registered voters is necessary.
President Gustavo Petro’s call for a special election reflects his ongoing struggle to implement proposed health and labor reforms in Colombia. By seeking a popular consultation, he aims to bypass legislative gridlock and empower citizens to decide on crucial reforms directly. The necessary Senate approval and required voter participation will be key factors in the potential success of this initiative.
Original Source: www.newsday.com
