LIBERAL PARTY LEADER ON PLANS FOR 2006 ELECTORAL

C O N F I D E N T I A L BOGOTA 002216

SIPDIS

SOUTHCOM FOR POLAD

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/07/2015
TAGS: PGOV CO
SUBJECT: LIBERAL PARTY LEADER ON PLANS FOR 2006 ELECTORAL
SEASON


Classified By: Ambassador William B. Wood. Reasons: 1.4 B & D.


1. (SBU) Senator Juan Fernando Cristo, the President of the
Officialist Liberal Party (PLC),told us that his party's
planning for the 2006 electoral season is still in the early
stages. Cristo believed that a nationwide party primary
would be the vehicle to select its presidential nominee. He
identified former Bogota Mayor Enrique Penalosa, two-time
failed presidential nominee Horacio Serpa, Senator Rodrigo
Rivera, and perhaps Senator Rafael Pardo as the likely
aspirants. While the Party might still consider letting
President Uribe run for the nomination in the primary, he
believed that the chances were slim.


2. (SBU) Cristo commented that ongoing negotiations between
dissident, pro-Uribe Liberals and the PLC had been fruitless.
While Cristo admitted that some PLC leaders would welcome
President Uribe (himself a former PLC member) as a competitor
for the nomination, he held out little hope for such a
possibility. Former president and OAS SYG Cesar Gaviria,
Cristo said, was not interested in a presidential run but
would likely become the PLC's next head during the summer.


3. (C) Comment: The PLC is in disarray. There are rumors
that the PLC could join forces with several parties of the
left for 2006 (septel). Nonetheless, the PLC is still
Colombia's largest party, which holds the majority of
governorships and has majorities in most departmental
legislatures. Were the Constitutional Court to strike down
reelection, the PLC's presidential prospects could change
dramatically.
WOOD