The second round of the presidential elections in Colombia leaves a very close victory for the far-right candidate Abelardo De La Espriella over the leftist Iván Cepeda. Meanwhile, in Spain, the possible opening of a disciplinary file against Judge Juan Carlos Peinado is once again stirring up the political and judicial debate, while in the United Kingdom the mandate of Keir Starmer seems to be coming to an end. This is how Carlos Alsina summarizes the main news of the day.
De La Espriella wins historically close elections in Colombia
The far right Abelardo De La Espriella has prevailed in the second round of the Colombian presidential elections according to the preliminary or pre-count result. The difference with the leftist candidate, Ivan Cepedais less than one percentage point, just about 250,000 votes, which makes this electoral event one of the most close in the country’s recent history.
Participation has reached 65% of the censusthe second highest recorded in a presidential second round since 1998. However, this increase in mobilization has not been sufficient to guarantee the continuity of the political project of the outgoing president, Gustavo Petro.
Petro has once again questioned the development of the electoral process, as he already did after the first round, and has asked lawyers and representatives to massively supervise the scrutiny. For his part, Cepeda has sent a double message: he has defended the social policies promoted in recent years and has reached out to dialogue to reach a national agreement.
The leftist candidate has also denounced alleged foreign interference and propaganda campaigns during the election campaign. Even so, it has recognized the preliminary results, although it maintains the challenge of some 33,000 polling stations.
We will have to wait for the final result of the vote, which could last several days, as happened in the first round. Meanwhile, De La Espriella has already proclaimed himself president-elect and has celebrated the result with his followers in Barranquilla. The victory has also been recognized by the American president, Donald Trump.
The CGPJ studies whether to sanction Judge Peinado
The permanent commission of the General Council of the Judiciary meets to analyze the possibility of opening a disciplinary file to the judge Juan Carlos Peinado. The initiative stems from a complaint presented by the Minister of the Interior, Fernando Grande-Marlaska, after the magistrate stated in a ruling that the police escorts of Begoña Gómez They could facilitate an eventual escape of the wife of the President of the Government.
This argument was used by Peinado to justify precautionary measures such as the withdrawal of the passport, the prohibition of leaving the country and the obligation to appear periodically before the court, within the case that is investigating Gómez for several alleged crimes.
The magistrate’s statements have caused deep discomfort both in police unions and among different legal and political sectors. Within the CGPJ itself there are divergent positions: the progressive sectors, including the president Isabel Perelloare in favor of studying disciplinary sanctions, while conservative members are committed to actions of a purely informative nature.
Sources consulted consider that, due to Peinado’s upcoming retirement scheduled for September, any measure could ultimately be limited to a minor sanction.
The Government avoids speaking out while criticism increases
Judge Peinado’s decision has increased pressure on the Government of Pedro Sanchezwhich has not yet commented publicly on this latest judicial resolution. The president is participating today in an event at the Teatro Real in Madrid, although all eyes are on the appearance he has scheduled for Wednesday in Congress.
There he is expected to give explanations about the different cases of corruption that affect the PSOE and people linked to its political environment.
Those who have reacted have been several ministers. The head of Transport, Oscar Puentehas spoken of a “mob unleashed”, while the Minister of Science, Diana Moranthas insisted on the existence of an alleged coordinated strategy by certain judges against the Executive.
Keir Starmer prepares his departure in the United Kingdom
International news also looks towards the United Kingdom, where the prime minister Keir Starmer could announce his resignation today after just two years in power. Internal pressure within the Labor Party has intensified in recent months due to political attrition and loss of support among some of its deputies.
The British press practically assumes that Starmer will begin a transition process that facilitates the replacement of the former mayor of Manchester, Andy Burnhamconsidered the main favorite to assume the leadership of the party and become prime minister. According to various British media, Burnham would seek to consolidate her position heading into September, while Starmer would prepare an orderly exit that would minimize the political impact of her departure and guarantee the stability of the Labor Government.
