Democratic Center (Colombia)

Democratic Centre (identified electorally as Democratic Centre – Strong Hand, Big Heart; Spanish: Centro Democrático – Mano firme, corazón grande) is a conservative and political party in Colombia founded in 2014 by Álvaro Uribe, former President of Colombia, former Vice President Francisco Santos Calderón and former Minister of Finance and Public Credit Óscar Iván Zuluaga.[12] It is a self-described party of the centre, although in opinion groups it is often considered a right-wing party.[13] Iván Duque, the current President of Colombia, is a member of the party.

Democratic Centre

Centro Democrático
LeaderÁlvaro Uribe
Founded15 July 2014 (15 July 2014)[1]
Split fromColombian Liberal Party
Social Party of National Unity
HeadquartersCalle 66 No. 7 – 59, Quinta Camacho, Bogotá
Youth wingJuventudes Centro Democrático
IdeologyUribism[2][3]
Social conservatism[4]
Economic liberalism[5][6]
Political positionCentre-right[7] to right-wing[8][9]
Regional affiliationUnion of Latin American Parties[10]
European affiliationAlliance of Conservatives and Reformists in Europe (regional partners)
International affiliationCentrist Democrat International[11]
ColorsBlue
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 left-wing anti-government guerilla force in the Colombian armed conflict.[14]

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.[15]

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 President-candidate Santos.[16]

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
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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 March 12, 2013. Retrieved April 1, 2014.
  3. Bowman, Emma. "Colombia Elects Right-Wing Populist Ivan Duque As President". NPR. Retrieved 2018-12-08.
  4. "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.
  5. "Estatutos del Partido Centro Democrático 2017". Centro Democrático. May 25, 2017.
  6. "Declaración Política". Centro Democrático. January 20, 2013.
  7. "La derecha es la nueva fuerza política del país". Retrieved September 20, 2016.
  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. http://uplalatinoamerica.org/partidos-miembros/
  11. https://www.idc-cdi.com/parties/
  12. Declaración Política
  13. "La derecha es la nueva fuerza política del país". Retrieved September 20, 2016.
  14. "Reacciones sobre creación del movimiento Puro Centro Democrático : Noticias UNO, La Red Independiente". Noticias Uno. Retrieved March 8, 2014.
  15. "Rupturas dentro del Polo Democrático". Retrieved 8 March 2014.
  16. Symmes Cobb, Julia; Miroff, Nick (15 June 2014). "Santos wins reelection in Colombia". Washington Post.
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