In Colombia, International IDEA kicked off activities of the
Ágora Democrática programme 17-18 May by co-sponsoring a seminar on "Political Reforms, Parties and Elections 2006."
Ágora Democrática is a joint IDEA and
Asociación Civil Transparencia initiative to promote the renewal and strengthening of political party systems in Andean countries.
The event was particularly timely, as Colombians are debating a series of reforms that will have a bearing on the 2006 elections. It was co-sponsored by the
National Democratic Institute,
Konrad Adenauer Foundation,
Sergio Arboleda University and National Electoral Council.
Participants discussed electoral processes – examining the electoral code, regulations regarding reelection, electronic voting and a proposal for modernizing Colombia’s electoral system – and political parties, with sessions on party structure and internal functioning, the role of parties in the legislature, and financing of parties and campaigns.
Also in May, IDEA launched the Colombia phase of a regional Ágora Democrática study being carried out for and with political parties together information about the legal frameworks for and internal functioning of political parties in the region.
Colombia’s debate of electoral and party reforms includes an effort to improve governability by reducing the number of parties represented in the Congress – currently 47 – and by moving forward on important decisions related to presidential re-election, campaign financing and access to the media during campaigns. A law that would allow presidential reelection, which was supported by backers of President Alvaro Uribe, is currently before the Constitutional Court.
For more information, contact
Kristen Sample, International IDEA’s director for the Andean Region.
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