The minister of the interior commented on Wednesday about a new election law working its way through the Colombian government that might disqualify two Bogota mayoral candidates.
Interior Minister Vargas Lleras commented on the candidacies of Antanas Mockus, the Green Party candidate, and Gustavo Petro, the Progressive candidate, and the imminent adoption of an election law that will prevent heads of political parties from running for office less than 12 months after resigning their positions.
“In principle, I do not think [Mockus and Petro] are disqualified but I can not inform you properly until I know the truth,” said Lleras.
Mockus was head of the Green Party less than a month ago and Petro claimed he has not had an executive position in a political party for three years. Petro ran for president in the 2010 election.
Guillermo Rivera, author of the law indicated that disqualification may hinge on when the bill is signed. If Mockus and Petro register as candidates before the president endorses the bill, they will likely be protected. If not, said Rivera, they could face disqualification.
Mockus announced Wednesday that he intended to run for Mayor and plans on formally declaring July 17.
