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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Uribe fails in Colombia term bid | Uribe fails in Colombia term bid |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| The Colombian constitutional court has rejected a referendum which could have led to President Alvaro Uribe running for a third term in office. | The Colombian constitutional court has rejected a referendum which could have led to President Alvaro Uribe running for a third term in office. |
| The court voted 7-2 against a proposal backed by parliament to hold a vote on amending the constitution to allow for three terms. | The court voted 7-2 against a proposal backed by parliament to hold a vote on amending the constitution to allow for three terms. |
| Mr Uribe won an amendment in 2005 that let him run for a second term in 2006. | Mr Uribe won an amendment in 2005 that let him run for a second term in 2006. |
| The president remains popular in Colombia, but the constitution bars him from being a candidate again. | The president remains popular in Colombia, but the constitution bars him from being a candidate again. |
| He had not said publicly that he hoped to stand in the 30 May election but analysts expected that he would. | He had not said publicly that he hoped to stand in the 30 May election but analysts expected that he would. |
| After the ruling, Mr Uribe said he accepted and respected the court's decision, which is not subject to appeal. | After the ruling, Mr Uribe said he accepted and respected the court's decision, which is not subject to appeal. |
| 'Democratic principle' | 'Democratic principle' |
| Alvaro Uribe is a close ally of the US, which has poured many millions of dollars into Colombia to support its fight against drug cartels and the left-wing Farc insurgency. | Alvaro Uribe is a close ally of the US, which has poured many millions of dollars into Colombia to support its fight against drug cartels and the left-wing Farc insurgency. |
| Last year, Colombia's Senate and House of Representatives overwhelmingly backed the proposed amendment on term limits. | Last year, Colombia's Senate and House of Representatives overwhelmingly backed the proposed amendment on term limits. |
| We cannot change direction, we cannot have a change of guard Alvaro UribeColombian President Profile: Alvaro Uribe Velez | We cannot change direction, we cannot have a change of guard Alvaro UribeColombian President Profile: Alvaro Uribe Velez |
| But on Friday, lead justice Mauricio Gonzalez announced that the high court rejected the referendum that would have asked voters to amend the constitution. | But on Friday, lead justice Mauricio Gonzalez announced that the high court rejected the referendum that would have asked voters to amend the constitution. |
| In his ruling he said the law calling for such a referendum included "substantial violations to the democratic principle." | In his ruling he said the law calling for such a referendum included "substantial violations to the democratic principle." |
| "It is not a matter of mere... irregularities," he added. | "It is not a matter of mere... irregularities," he added. |
| Analysts say the court ruling marks the start of a tough election campaign to replace Mr Uribe. | |
| Former Defence Minister Juan Manuel Santos leads in opinion polls, reports say, but Sergio Fajardo, an independent praised for his performance as mayor of Medellin, is making ground. | |
| Correspondents say that any candidate chosen to replace the president from among his allies would continue his Democratic Security Policy, the foundation of his popularity. | Correspondents say that any candidate chosen to replace the president from among his allies would continue his Democratic Security Policy, the foundation of his popularity. |
| "Those policies have to be re-elected whatever the decision of the court," Mr Uribe said on Thursday evening. | "Those policies have to be re-elected whatever the decision of the court," Mr Uribe said on Thursday evening. |
| "We cannot change direction, we cannot have a change of guard." | "We cannot change direction, we cannot have a change of guard." |
| Scandals | |
| Critics have said that allowing Mr Uribe to stand again might threaten democracy. | Critics have said that allowing Mr Uribe to stand again might threaten democracy. |
| His second term has been marred by scandals over human rights abuses by troops and the illegal wiretapping of his opponents by the state intelligence agency. | His second term has been marred by scandals over human rights abuses by troops and the illegal wiretapping of his opponents by the state intelligence agency. |
| On Wednesday, police re-arrested a cousin and close ally of the president, former senator Mario Uribe Escobar, as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged links between politicians and right-wing paramilitary groups. | On Wednesday, police re-arrested a cousin and close ally of the president, former senator Mario Uribe Escobar, as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged links between politicians and right-wing paramilitary groups. |
| More than 60 politicians are still in jail in connection with the case known as the "para-political" scandal. | More than 60 politicians are still in jail in connection with the case known as the "para-political" scandal. |