Interview Senator John Sudarsky, part 6
Senator John Sudarsky spoke to Colombia Politics about democracy, Colombia´s political system, the challenges the country faces, the peace talks with the FARC, and his proposed reform to the electoral process.
This is the final extract from the interview, where Senator Sudarsky answers some quick fire questions revealing his predictions on whether President Santos will be re-elected in 2014, and whether Uribe will return as a senator.
Thanks to Notedije Producciones for filming and editing the interview.
Kevin,
It is great that you conducted this interview as it gives us an insight that we may not have gotten otherwise. However, I believe you missed the opportunity for an important follow-up question. When you asked the Senator if he thought that President Santos would run/win in 2014, his answer implies that the President is in control of everything – even the electoral process – and would the election would be rigged. What does the Senator base such an inflammatory remark on? Is there proof to what he says? All too often, as appears to be the case here, people make broad statements and allegations with impunity. If what he alleges is true, that is a far bigger issue than perhaps any other theme touched upon in your entire interview.
It is also unclear as to what his point is in regards to the electorate. Fundamentally, it is the electorate’s duty and responsibility to hold their elected official responsible for all actions / inactions. However, no one can – or should – enforce this upon the electorate as it comes down to a personal choice. The question of who will watch if debates are made public is a tricky one, but I believe that a good percentage of Colombians would tune in, especially on the big issues. It is up to the individual, not the government, to take it upon themselves and hold their elected officials responsible, and to hold said officials feet to the fire when they are no longer representing the electorate. We see this in action all of the time with protests and demonstrations which result in policy changes. Citizens should never ever let the politicians forget that they are responsible to their constituents on a micro level and to all of Colombia on a macro level.
I hope that you will have more interviews like this.
Thank you for your important work.
Tigre
Thanks for your thoughtful comments Tigre.
I think the senator was referring partly to the idea of “presupuesto estatal” as Senator Robledo calls it. In other words, not directly that the election is fixed, but by using the bureaucracy or “mermelada” as it’s often called to tie in congressmen to his government a president can therefore count on the support of said politician – and their votes locally – come election time. I take your point though, I perhaps should have pressed him a little more on this, for the benefit of those watching. The issue is covered a bit more in previous excerpts of the interview – I think 2 and 3, from memory.
The point about citizen’s involvement is a good one, and yes I have long been an advocate of increased transparency and the televising of parliament. The capitolio currently operates as too closed a world – it’s far too difficult to get in, the citizen is too distant from the place, in all senses.
The UK parliament for example has relatively free access and open to visitors who wish to visit – without prior notice – and watch debates – frankly, as it should be. We the citizens grant the parliament its sovereign powers through our vote – we the citizens are the theoretical owners of the place, not the other way round.
Sudarsky’s reform would help deepen the relationship and connection between the electorate and the politician, by geographically linking the two far more closely than the status quo. I think Sudarsky wants to make the point that even if changes to make congress more transparent came into effect, without reform of the electoral system much of the potential benefit would not be felt. Excerpts 2, 3 and 4 give a bit more background on Sudarsky’s reform.
We’ll be covering these issues in more detail in 2013, and highlighting the progress of Sudarsky’s reform. I hope these future articles can build on this, and help answer some of the key points you raise.
Many thanks. With all best wishes for 2013.