MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Opinion polls confirm Colombian president re-election

The re-election of Colombian President Alvaro Uribe next May 28 seems certain according to the latest public opinion polls published Friday in Bogotá.

With 57% of vote intention just over a week away from polling day Mr. Uribe can count on a victory which will ensure his a second consecutive four year, points out the survey. Runner up but distant is former judge and Senator Carlo Gaviria Diaz from the left leaning Democratic Alternative Pole, PDA, with 19% vote intention.

In third place figures former minister Horacio Serpa from one of Colombia's historic parties, Liberal Party with 13%. The undecided and blank votes add to 5.7%.

The remaining presidential hopefuls didn't even manage 1% shows the public opinion poll carried out Napoleon Franco research group for Colombia's main television and broadcasting network and the weekly magazine Semana.

The poll interviewed 1.581 voters in 35 urban centres, distributed throughout Colombia's five major regions with a margin error of plus/minus three points.

The opinion poll confirms the positive image and standing that president Uribe has enjoyed for over two years, including the constitutional reform which enabled him to run for a second consecutive period.

Another survey published Thursday evening by another media group has Mr. Uribe winning next May 28 by an even larger margin, 61.2%.

A total of 27 million Colombians are registered to vote. If by any chance Mr. Uribe does not garner 50% plus one of the votes a run off is scheduled for a month later.