Democratic Center (Colombia)

Democratic Center
Centro Democrático
Leader Álvaro Uribe
President Óscar Iván Zuluaga
Founded 15 July 2014 (15 July 2014)[1]
Split from Social Party of National Unity
Headquarters Calle 66 No. 7 – 59, Quinta Camacho, Bogotá
Youth wing Juventudes Centro Democrático
Ideology Right-wing populism[2]
National conservatism[3][4]
Anti-communism[5]
Christian democracy[6]
Political position Right-wing[7] to far right[8]
Colours Blue
Slogan Mano firme, corazón grande (Strong hand, big heart)
Seats in
the Senate
19 / 108
Seats in
the House
32 / 172
Governors
3 / 32
Mayors
154 / 1,102
Website
www.centrodemocratico.com

Democratic Centre (identified electorally as Democratic Centre – Strong Hand, Big Heart) (Spanish: Centro Democrático – Mano firme, corazón grande) is a political party in Colombia founded by Álvaro Uribe, former President, former Vice President Francisco Santos Calderón and former Finance Minister Óscar Iván Zuluaga.[9] It is a self-styled party centre, although in opinion groups it is often considered a right-wing party.[10]

The Party was founded in 2013. A key factor in this were the Government negotiations with FARC, the major left-wing anti-government guerilla force in the Colombian armed conflict.[11]

Although created as a decidedly right-wing party, its members now come from a wide range of political backgrounds, including former politicians of the right-wing Conservative Party, the center-left Social Party of National Unity, and from the left-wing Alternative Democratic Pole, such as Senator Everth Bustamante.[12]

Electoral History

In the 2014 Congressional elections, the Democratic Centre won 20 senate seats and also obtained 19 seats in the House of Representatives.

In the 2014 Presidential Election, the Democratic Centre chose former Senator and Finance Minister during the Uribe Administration Óscar Iván Zuluaga as its presidential nominee. Zuluaga won the first round, but subsequently lost the second round to incumbent President Santos.[13]

Despite the second round loss, the electoral performance in both Congressional and Presidential elections provided the Democratic Centre with a platform to establish itself as the major opposition party in Colombia. The party has since taken steps to improve its political infrastructure given that it lagged behind in funding and party organisation when compared to more traditional political parties.

References

  1. ↑ Carolina Ortiz Narváez (July 18, 2014). "Centro Democrático, oficalmente un partido". Las 2 Orillas.
  2. ↑ "Colombia Elects Right-Wing Populist Ivan Duque As President". NPR. 18 June 2018.
  3. ↑ "Estatutos del Partido Centro Democrático 2017". Centro Democrático. May 25, 2017.
  4. ↑ "Declaración Política". Centro Democrático. January 20, 2013.
  5. ↑ "Álvaro Uribe Vélez. Plan Nacional de Desarrollo 2002-2006: «Hacia un Estado Comunitario»" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on March 12, 2013. Retrieved April 1, 2014.
  6. ↑ "Álvaro Uribe Vélez. Plan Nacional de Desarrollo 2002-2006: «Hacia un Estado Comunitario»" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 March 2013. Retrieved April 1, 2014.
  7. ↑ Vargas Llosa, Álvaro (August 7, 2006). "Cuídese de los carnívoros". Article (in Spanish). El Instituto Independiente. Retrieved May 17, 2018.
  8. ↑ Ávila, Ariel (September 5, 2017). "La derecha en Colombia y la campaña presidencial". Article (in Spanish). Diario El País. Retrieved October 6, 2018.
  9. ↑ Declaración Política
  10. ↑ "La derecha es la nueva fuerza política del país". Retrieved September 20, 2016.
  11. ↑ "Reacciones sobre creación del movimiento Puro Centro Democrático : Noticias UNO, La Red Independiente". Noticias Uno. Retrieved March 8, 2014.
  12. ↑ "Rupturas dentro del Polo Democrático". Retrieved 8 March 2014.
  13. ↑ Symmes Cobb, Julia; Miroff, Nick (15 June 2014). "Santos wins reelection in Colombia". Washington Post.
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