Op-ed: Proposed popular consultation in Colombia risks weakening constitutional order

President Gustavo Petro’s idea of using a public vote and not going through Congress has caused worry in Colombia. Those who do not support it say it does not improve citizen involvement. They think it avoids important controls, creating a risky example for the nation’s democratic systems, which are not strong. The recent upheaval surrounding President Gustavo Petro’s stalled labor reform and health reform proposals has ignited a broader debate about the limits of executive power. According to statements, both bills have encountered resistance in the Colombian Congress, with the labor reform on the verge of being shelved in committee. In response, Petro says he will push forward with a popular consultation, inviting citizens to vote directly on core ideas that have so far failed legislatively. Although consultation may sound democratic on the surface, many fear it could undermine the country’s constitutional framework and erode the role of representative governance.
Read the full article here: Latin American Post