Colombia’s new Congress president already facing accusations of corruption, parapolitics
Colombia’s new Congress president already facing accusations of corruption, parapolitics
Jul 21, 2014 posted by Melanie Bencosme
Senator Jose David Name was elected president of Colombia’s Congress on Sunday while past accusations of corruption and paramilitary ties loomed in the background.
Name, originally from Colombia’s northwestern city of Barranquilla, was elected Congress president in a 94-7 vote, according to Colombia’s El Pais newspaper. However, with an unusual public turnout in cities normally less participatory, Name’s Senate election had a taste of “mermelada,” according to Bogota’s Las2Orillas newspaper.
“Mermelada” in translation means jam. For Colombian politics, spreading the jam relates to spreading public funds, (i.e. tax money used to boost or help a candidates campaign) or to simply add votes when there aren’t any.
“Yes, it sounds incredible to suggest the government used tax payers’ money to subsidize corrupt politicians to pervert the electoral process (…) but it’s an allegation many commentators and politicians continue to insist is true,” Kevin Howlett, a political analyst with Colombia Politics told Colombia Reports.
More:
http://colombiareports.co/new-congress-pres-rap-sheet/