Democratic Center (Colombia)

Democratic Centre (identified electorally as Democratic Centre – Strong Hand, Big Heart; Spanish: Centro Democrático – Mano firme, corazón grande) is a conservative,[15] right-wing[16][17][18] political party in Colombia founded in 2013 by Álvaro Uribe, former President of Colombia, former Vice President Francisco Santos Calderón and former Minister of Finance and Public Credit Óscar Iván Zuluaga.[19] It is a self-described party of the centre, although in opinion groups it is often considered a right-wing party.[11] Iván Duque, the current President of Colombia, is a member of the party.

Democratic Centre
Centro Democrático
LeaderÁlvaro Uribe
PresidentNubia Stella Martínez
Founded20 January 2013 (20 January 2013) (as a political movement)
15 July 2014 (15 July 2014) (as a political party)[1]
Split fromColombian Liberal Party
Social Party of National Unity
HeadquartersCalle 66 No. 7 – 59, Quinta Camacho, Bogotá
Youth wingJuventudes Centro Democrático
IdeologySocial conservatism[2]
Economic liberalism[3][4]
Uribism[5][6]
Right-wing populism[7]
Political positionRight-wing[8][9]
Factions:
Centre-right[10][11] to far-right[12]
Regional affiliationUnion of Latin American Parties[13]
European affiliationEuropean Conservatives and Reformists Party (regional partners)
International affiliationCentrist Democrat International[14]
Colors  Blue
SloganMano firme, corazón grande (Strong hand, big heart)
Chamber of Representatives
32 / 172
Senate
19 / 108
Governors
1 / 32
Mayors
154 / 1,102
Website
www.centrodemocratico.com

History

The party was founded in 2014 A key factor in this were the Government negotiations with FARC, the major extreme-left anti-government guerilla force in the Colombian armed conflict.[20]

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-right Social Party of National Unity, and from the left-wing Alternative Democratic Pole, such as Senator Everth Bustamante.[21]

During the 2020 United States elections, Democratic Centre promoted Republican Party candidates in the United States, especially in Florida, sharing supported for President of the United States Donald Trump.[22] The party's involvement with promoting political candidates in a foreign election drew controversy among some observers.[22]

Electoral history

In the 2014 congressional elections, the Democratic Centre won 20 seats in the Senate and 19 seats in the Chamber 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.[23]

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 in funding and party organisation compared to more traditional political parties.

Presidential elections
Election Year Candidate First Round Second Round Result
Votes Percentage Votes Percentage
2014 Óscar Iván Zuluaga 3,759,971 29.25 (#1) 6,905,001 45.00 (#2) Lost
2018 Iván Duque Márquez 7,569,693 39.14 (#1) 10,373,080 53.98 (#1) Won

Legislative elections
Election Year House of Representatives Senate
Votes Percentage Seats Votes Percentage Seats
2014 1,355,358 11.57 (#4)
19 / 166
 2,045,564 17.52 (#2)
19 / 102
2018 2,471,596 16.53 (#2)
35 / 166
 2,513,320 17.36 (#1)
19 / 102

References
  1. Carolina Ortiz Narváez (July 18, 2014). "Centro Democrático, oficalmente un partido". Las 2 Orillas.
  2. "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.
  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. Bowman, Emma. "Colombia Elects Right-Wing Populist Ivan Duque As President". NPR. Retrieved 2018-12-08.
  7. https://nuso.org/articulo/populismos-y-polarizaciones-ante-la-segunda-vuelta-de-las-presidenciales-colombianas/
  8. Vargas Llosa, Álvaro (August 7, 2006). "Cuídese de los carnívoros". Article (in Spanish). El Instituto Independiente. Retrieved May 17, 2018.
  9. Ávila, Ariel (September 5, 2017). "La derecha en Colombia y la campaña presidencial". Article (in Spanish). Diario El País. Retrieved October 6, 2018.
  10. "Global Elections Round-Up: Last 12 Months". Fitch Solutions. 31 July 2018.
  11. "La derecha es la nueva fuerza política del país". Retrieved September 20, 2016.
  12. Abad, Susan; Casey, Nicholas (May 27, 2018). "In Colombia, Far-Right and Hard-Left Candidates Will Vie for Presidency". The New York Times. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
  13. http://uplalatinoamerica.org/partidos-miembros/
  14. https://www.idc-cdi.com/parties/
  15. "Colombia cools on Venezuelan refugees". The Economist. 30 April 2020. Retrieved 24 January 2021.
  16. Daniels, Joe Parkin (27 October 2020). "US embassy warns Colombian politicians not to get involved in US elections". The Guardian. Retrieved 24 January 2021.
  17. Janetsky, Megan (27 August 2020). "Colombia ex-leader Uribe's detention splits generations". BBC News. Retrieved 24 January 2021.
  18. "Democratic Center". Colombia Reports. 8 December 2018.
  19. Declaración Política
  20. "Reacciones sobre creación del movimiento Puro Centro Democrático : Noticias UNO, La Red Independiente". Noticias Uno. Retrieved March 8, 2014.
  21. "Rupturas dentro del Polo Democrático". Retrieved 8 March 2014.
  22. Zilbermints, Regina (2021-05-06). "Colombia's protests are threat, test for US". The Hill. Retrieved 2021-05-08.
  23. Symmes Cobb, Julia; Miroff, Nick (15 June 2014). "Santos wins reelection in Colombia". Washington Post.
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