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Colombia does not need a new constitution or a Constituent Assembly. Petro must work on solving the serious problems that Colombia faces today, many of which are caused by the government or exacerbated by its decisions: security in all sectors, the health of 50 million Colombians, the stagnation of private investment, the excessive growth of economic growth. Public spending. The list is long. Petro was not chosen to form a Constituent Assembly. Today, he proposes it when his government does not have 30% of the support of citizens. Many say that the Constituent Assembly is a smokescreen to divert attention from the difficult situation that Colombia is currently suffering from.
The situation was very different with the 1991 Constituent Assembly. The proposal to convene a National Constituent Assembly was the central issue of César Gaviria’s campaign, and he supported the initiative of a group of students, the “Seventh Vote”, which was accepted by then-President Virgilio Barco and the Congress. The majority of voters supported her. A referendum in favor of a reformed constitution was held. Gaviria received legitimacy and the support of the majority of the Colombian people to launch the constitutional process that culminated in the approval of the new 1991 Constitution that governs us today. It was the era of narco-terrorism. Some said Colombia was a failed society. This was a new social contract that was supported by everyone. We were reborn.
How can Petro think of a national agreement now, after two years in power, in which he has fought with almost all sectors of the state, mainly businessmen and the private sector? Few believed he would be president. Unfortunately for Colombia, he and his government have a different attitude. Each of the nine issues that the president proposed for the Constituent Assembly to discuss could be broadly addressed in the constitution we have today: land reform, politics, education. And peace. For this, we do not need a new political charter.
We have a broad, secure constitution that has made the country’s judiciary and macroeconomic management better. To send the country to a constitutional convention today is to postpone solving the problems we face today. And to resurrect the specter of the president’s reelection. Is the government willing to listen to the business community and other sectors and reach an agreement? Perfect. We need it.
Let’s work for economic recovery. The ideas are on the table. Andi, Andesco, Juan Carlos Echeverry, Mauricio Cárdenas and many others have been nurturing them for months. We need to get the economy growing. That’s progress for everyone. That’s the deal we need. The Constituent Assembly needs not only the support of the majority of Colombians, but also trust in the government. Does the president have it? Trust is built through actions and policies. Not with speeches.
Ricardo Santamaria
Analyst.
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