MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Colombia’s Santos calls for a national unity government

The former defence minister still has the June 20 hurdle

Colombia’s winning presidential candidate Juan Manuel Santos called on Conservatives and Radicals to join in a national unity government to address the problems of poverty and terrorism.

The former defence minister and heir of President Alvaro Uribe more than doubled his main rival on Sunday (46.5% to 21.4%) but did not manage the magic 50% plus one vote which would have saved him from a run off in three weeks time, June 20.

Speaking before cheering militants and supporters Santos said it was his intention to invite the leaders of the Radicals, German Vargas Lleras and of the Conservatives, Noemí Sanín to sign a political unity pact opening the way for a unity government.

“I’m very proud and grateful to all those who organized and helped with such a successful campaign: I was honoured with top quality people and professionalism”, said Santos who then thanked all Colombians, those who voted for him and those who did not, for their democratic participation on Sunday’s election.

“Sunday and the events leading to Sunday have been a marvellous display of pluralism and democratic exercise and working institutions”, emphasized Santos who then addressed the other candidates.

“My regards and respect to Noemí Sanín and the Conservatives; my regards to Geman Vargas and all the friends from Cambio Radical who have presented programs with very serious and important initiatives, which I hope I can incorporate them to my government”, said Santos. “I’m inviting both parties to work together so that we can guarantee that Colombia won’t fall back on the long road we have marched”.

The winning candidate also recalled that even when he’s the candidate of President Uribe’s U (unity) party, his backgrounds are in the Colombian Liberal party now under the leadership of Rafael Pardo, and said there are principles and attitudes “which are never lost”.

Finally he addressed Antanas Mockus (and the Green wave) with whom he will dispute the run-off: “I’m calling for national unity; for an inclusion government; for a great alliance to combat poverty”.

All along his speech Santos made special reference as he did during the electoral campaign, to boost the Colombian economy “so it grows with fairness for all” and promised “to fight corruption, impunity and guarantee democratic security”.

Without mentioning anybody in particular Santos said he had “no enemies inside or outside Colombia” because the enemies are “common enemies and united we will defeat them: unemployment, poverty, corruption and terrorism”.

President Hugo Chavez from neighbouring Venezuela and a declared enemy of President Uribe and his former Defence minister Santos said on Sunday he was hopeful Colombians would vote “correctly”. Previously he had anticipated that if Santos was the winner and the elected president of Colombia he would have no relations with him.

According to the latest official release with 99.99% votes counted, Santos garnered 46.5%; Antanas Mockus, 21.4%; Vargas Llera, 10.13%; Noemí Sanín, 6.14% and Rafael Pardo, 4,38%. As has been traditional in Colombian elections, abstention was high for Latinamerican standards, 51%.

President Uribe in a brief statement following the elections said that Colombia had recovered its political freedom, which had been kidnapped by terrorism.

“Colombia has recovered political freedom which had been kidnapped by terrorism. Thank you Colombian Armed Forces, thank you Colombians all”.

Whoever wins next June 20 will be taking office August 7, when President Uribe’s second mandate comes to an end.