Mockus Green Party return?

Colombia´s Green Party could soon welcome back its 2010 presidential candidate, the popular and maverick academic, Antanas Mockus, it was revealed today.

At the national youth conference, a meeting, hosted by the party´s president, heard a series of voices make the argument for a change in direction at the top and for a reconciliation with Mockus who left the party in protest at Alvaro Uribe´s involvement in Enrique Peñalosa ´s Bogotá Mayor election campaign in 2011.

Mockus is a fierce critic of Uribe and felt the party has lost its way by allowing the ex-president to join Peñalosa´s team. Criticism of the party has also come from its decision to join President Santos´ National Unity coalition government (after running against the president in the elections), with many Mockus supporters suggesting the independence of the party had been sold off.

The truth is that the Green Party has struggled to establish either unity or a real presence on the political stage after Mockus´ failed, but exciting, campaign to win the presidency in 2010.

Mockus created what was called the Green Wave, an enthusiastic and optimistic surge in support for his candidature against Juan Manuel Santos, a wave which at times put him top of the polls and on course to victory. Mockus eventually lost to Santos in the second round run off and the party has failed either to put the defeat behind it, or to capitalize on the work of their candidate.

The Green Wave has retreated to such an extent that many feel the party could be wiped out at the 2014 congressional elections.

The Greens are a party that sits in the centre with some of its members, like Mockus to the centre-left, while others like John Sudarsky and Enrique Peñalosa would feel at home more on the centre-right. Its policy platform remains unclear – like most parties in Colombia – but as a movement it has real potential to appeal to large sections of the society disillusioned with the traditional battle between the Conservatives and the Liberals.

So will Mockus return to the party to give it a much need lift ahead of the start of the election campaign? Time will tell, but Mockus has cut a lonely figure in recent months.

Perhaps most interesting is the talk of Mockus joining forces again with the current Governor of Antioquia, Sergio Fajardo. Fajardo is tipped by some to lead the group. Although current party president Alfonso Prada was quick today to rule out this possibility, he has a vested interest.

Mockus, a former University Rector, was a two-times highly successful and respected Mayor of Bogotá, and continues to enjoy – an albeit significantly reduced – cult appeal. Whether or not Mockus returns in an official capacity, the Greens must bring together the “big beasts” and use their profile and popularity. If the party fails to do so, it could face possible extinction come March next year.