In a four-page document, the Minister of the Interior, Juan Fernando Cristoofficially launched the great national agreement and the five axes with which the government of President Gustavo Petro look for that parties, unions, unions, civil society and other sectors open spaces for discussion
It is worth mentioning that the proposal has been worked on since Christ assumed the reins of the Ministry of the Interior, in July of the current yearand one of the main bets is linked to guaranteeing that presidential re-election will not be sought and promoting respect for democratic rules.
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“We will not promote the re-election or the alteration of the terms of the leaders of the popularly elected executive branch“says the document presented by Christ.
There are no major surprises regarding what Minister Cristo had already revealed in previous interviews and in other spaces. However, the agreement went from three to five points. As was already known, The big bet is the eradication of violence in politics, and that includes a de-escalation of language.
Congress of the Republic.
THE TIME
“We commit to promoting by example the recovery of democratic values, to de-escalate language in debate and political deliberation, to eradicate stigmatization and to respect difference and dissent in all settings.“, reads in the document put up for consideration by the different sectors.
The call to lower the tone of the discussion is accompanied by a commitment to seek an agreement for “national reconciliation and political coexistence“, something similar to what was stated in the peace agreement with the extinct FARC guerrilla and that former Foreign Minister Álvaro Leyva misinterpreted to justify an alleged call for a national constituent assembly outside the legal framework.
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The second commitment has to be with respect to the electoral rules and the current electoral calendar: “It is a commitment in the face of so many fantasies that the opposition invents. Give peace of mind that the rules of the game and the electoral calendar will be respected“said Minister Cristo.
However, contrary to what the head of the portfolio says, these are not fantasies of the opposition, since the Senator of the Historical Pact, Isabel Zuletacontinues to insist on a constitutional reform that seeks to revive this figure. In fact, they already have it ready, but it does not have enough signatures to file it. Neither the Government nor her colleagues on the bench have supported her in that purpose.
Nariño House.
THE TIME
“We agree to guarantee the stability of the democratic rules of the game in the short, medium and long term at the national, regional and local levels.“, reads the commitment in that section, which also seeks to strengthen the party system, what is read as a possible adhesion to the political reform that the Minister of the Interior is currently moving.
However, The agreement leaves a window for modificationsbut with the proviso that “Any institutional change will have to be the product of the procedures and requirements contained in the Political Constitution of 1991 and that imply a broad process of citizen participation, legislative deliberation and constitutionality controls.”.
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The third point is very much in line with what Minister Cristo has sought since he was in the portfolio and is the relaunch of the peace agreement with the FARC. In this order of ideas, it is sought to reach an agreement on prioritizing investments in the municipalities that are part of the Development Programs with a Territorial Approach (PDET).
“We will support and work with mayors and governors and, in an articulated and participatory manner, with communities, the private sector, the National Government and the international community, in initiatives and projects that improve the living conditions and safety of the 6.6 million inhabitants of those 170 municipalities“, is the proposal for these municipalities that are the axis of the agreement.
PDET.
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Motivate equity
The fourth point of the agreement has a clear focus on the economic and It has to do with the growth of equity in the country.
This proposes the search for a Comprehensive rural development and strengthening of agroindustrywhich have been greatly affected in recent times by climatic factors and by the difficulty of building an agrarian reform, among other reasons.
(Read also: Petro’s proposal to the ‘paras’: a new table to close the peace process).
The same way, once again raises a focus on the agricultural, industrial and tourism sectorsvery similar to the agreement already reached with private banks to replace forced investments with the allocation of credits to these areas.
“We consider it essential to move from an economy with high inequality and unemployment, towards a productive, inclusive and equitable economy that protects and conserves nature and whose competitiveness is based on education, talent, technology and connectivity, energy transition, stability macroeconomic and the strengthening of the Social Rule of Law“, reads the agreement.
Equity
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Social reforms
The last point has some nuances of the first commitment regarding the tone of respectful debate, but this aspect is mainly focused on the Government’s social reforms. What is striking is that the commitment at this point is based on the declaration that these projects are necessary for the well-being of the country and the consolidation of peace..
“We agree to work with all political parties represented in Congress, the discussion of a priority group of projects that are part of the current legislative agenda, and in this way process their approval, within the framework of respect for the opposition, argumentative deliberation, the constructive search for consensus and respectful dialogue”says the last point. At the closing of the agreement, a final commitment is made to establish follow-up spaces for the different points of the great national agreement.
PORTFOLIO
*With information from EL TIEMPO – POLITICS
