'Seeks to undermine the independence of Congress': Cambio Radical criticizes the government for supporting Julián López's candidacy for House speaker

The bidding for the presidency of the House of Representatives intensified this Tuesday after it was revealed that the government, and especially Interior Minister Armando Benedetti, would support Representative Julián López of the "La U" Party. This news sparked criticism from the Cambio Radical party, which, based on agreements reached at the beginning of the four-year term, was entitled to the position.

"It seems that certain sectors are not satisfied with the physical and legal persecution of opposition members; now they will go after their spaces in venues like the Chamber and will do everything possible to silence us," said Senator and spokesperson for Cambio Radical, Carlos Fernando Motoa.

For Motoa, the support for the representative seeks to "undermine" the independence of Congress. "When certain factions break agreements with groups like Cambio Radical, they're not only violating the opposition; they're also handing over their membership to President Gustavo Petro," the congressman stated.

And then he added: "If the national government and its friends regain control of the House, President Petro will continue to have a stronghold in the Legislature from which to push through inconvenient initiatives that rarely withstand scrutiny by bodies like the Constitutional Court."

Behind this disregard for the agreements lies Cambio Radical's decision to change its position vis-à-vis the government. This group was, by agreement, entitled to the presidency of the Chamber; however, since it went from independence to opposition, the Executive Branch and several congressmen argue that this would have breached the agreements. Thus, at least three parties are expected to compete in this body for the position currently held by Jaime Raúl Salamanca.

In addition to López, congressmen from the Conservative Party, the Historic Pact, and others from the "U" party are also expected to seek votes to lead the Chamber of Deputies during the final year of the Petro administration.

CAMILO A. CASTILLOPolitical EditorX: (@camiloandres894)