Some see the move as a hostile act by the president, others as the perfect platform for Parody to launch a bid for the mayoralty next time round.

For Petro the decision was not welcome, an appointment he was not informed of first hand, but instead through the media.Despite this snub the mayor claimed he would apply his famous mantra ´the politics of love´ to his interactions with Ms Parody. Within hours, however, this love turned sour as Petro dismissed the new presidential adviser, arguing that he would only deal with the nation´s head of state direct.In reply, Parody appeared on the programme ´Pregunta Yamid´ to argue that for the good for the city the mayor would have to respect the president´s decision.This was an inauspicious start to a relationship that Bogotá needs to work.The city remains in crisis with a government that has failed to tackle the major issues, instead choosing to focus on peripheral, populist and improvisational politics. Sure, bull fights might have been banned, but what, Bogotanos ask, has the mayor done to improve the catastrophically creaky transport network?

Petro is an unpopular mayor who has disappointed even many of those who share his politics. Since coming to office in January, his administration has looked chaotic, with splits from head to toe; there have been almost as many resignations from Petro´s top team as there have been months since he set foot inside the Liévano Palace (the mayoral seat of power).

A poll taken at the end of last month, showed that less than half of Bogotanos approve of the mayor´s government, and that this figure is heading south.Santos understands that Bogotá is the most important territory in the land, and he cannot afford the city to fail. International businesses come first to the capital and its 8 million souls are an engine-house for economic growth.The difficulties of the capital are not the fault entirely of Petro. A series of disastrous mayoralties has created the feeling of a city in decline, despite record foreign investment. Without serious transport and security improvements, Bogotanos will continue to despair for the future.The question is whether the arrival of Parody is good for Bogotá, will she help improve its administration, or act as spanner in the works, undermining Petro´s authority?Although the start has been less than promising, it is important to note that Parody can no longer be the voice of opposition; she must work with the mayor. It will be less easy for her to attack – ultimately she will either share the blame for failure or the credit for success.

She has been hotly tipped to run again for mayor in three years´ time, and her chances are now dependent on positively impact the government of the capital.

For Petro the appointment is clearly a slight. But he too must make it work. He will no doubt begin see the benefit of having Parody inside the tent (removing his principal opposition).

Parody may find Petro difficult to work with, but she will do well to remember that his authority trumps hers. He is the elected politician; his mandate (despite the growing opposition) was secured at the ballot box.

Parody is a political appointment, and she must speak for the president not for herself.

The signs are at least good that Parody will work well with Santos. It is well known that the Casa de Nariño values highly Parody´s political talent. In 2006, when Director of the U Party, Santos placed his new adviser at the top of the list of candidates for the senate elections. He saw her then as he does now, as a rising star.

Bogotá has been badly run for years. Petro has been a polemical mayor, dividing the public and so far failing to deliver on the promises of his campaign. In the coming months he will face corruption charges which threaten to paralyse his administration. Bogotá cannot afford to sit and wait for the mayor to be cleared or convicted.

The city needs strong leadership. It falls to Parody to help Petro save his mayoralty from disaster.

We wish her well.

Follow me on Twitter & Facebook