by Oliver Griffin
BOGOTA (Reuters) – Colombians are called to the polls on Sunday for the first round of the presidential election, an election which, for the first time in the country’s history, could hand over the reins of the country to a left-wing candidate, Gustavo Petro , a former guerrilla.
Candidate of the “Historical Pact” coalition, which brings together progressive parties, Gustavo Petro has been leading the polls for months, with around 40% of voting intentions, and has a good chance of succeeding outgoing Conservative President Ivan Duque, in power since 2018.
Colombia has been ruled by the right since its independence in 1810.
Gustavo Petro, former mayor of Bogota, has promised to tackle income inequality in a country of more than 50 million inhabitants where 40% of the population lives below the poverty line. He also promises in his program free public university education and pledges to oppose the expansion of the oil and gas industry.
A second round, scheduled for June 19, is likely.
He is expected to pit Petro against either right-wing candidate Federico Gutierrez, former mayor of Medellin, Colombia’s second city, or populist Rodolfo Hernandez, a business mogul.
Federico Gutierrez and Rodolfo Hernandez collected 27.1% and 20.9% of voting intentions respectively in a recent Invamer poll.
Federico Gutierrez is considered the ideological heir of Ivan Duque. He believes that the election of Gustavo Petro would be a disaster for the country’s democracy and economy.
Rodolfo Hernandez, who presents himself independently with his own funds, has built his popularity by posting whimsical videos on social networks and multiplying anti-corruption pledges.
He could be put in difficulty by scandals linked to his administration of the city of Bucaramanga, of which he was mayor, and by an ongoing investigation into alleged acts of corruption. He denies any wrongdoing.
Polling stations will close on Sunday at 4:00 p.m. local time (2100 GMT). The result should be known approximately four hours later.
(Report Oliver Griffin and Julia Symmes Cobb; French version Augustin Turpin, edited by Sophie Louet)