President Gustavo Petro rallies support for labor and health reforms in Colombia, urging citizens to participate in a special election to enable approval of stalled legislation. Facing significant challenges in the Senate and with a call to ‘rebel’ against opposing politicians, Petro emphasizes the need for voters’ engagement as the nation approaches critical elections.
On March 18, 2025, President Gustavo Petro of Colombia rallied supporters in Bogotá, advocating for critical labor and health reforms that have faced significant barriers in Congress. This event aimed to bolster public support as the country approaches forthcoming elections. During this rally, President Petro emphasized the need for a special election to empower voters to approve or reject the stalled legislation, which lacks support from centrist and right-wing politicians.
While addressing thousands of attendees in Bolívar Square, President Petro described the congress members opposing his reforms as “monarchs and tyrants,” who prioritize greed over people’s well-being. He urged citizens to “rebel” against these politicians, asserting that many have sacrificed for positive change. Petro’s coalition, the Historical Pact, holds only one-fifth of Senate seats, complicating his efforts to pass meaningful legislation.
In a strategic move to mobilize supporters, President Petro declared a national government worker holiday to encourage participation in the protests. The government’s support for the protests was evident through social media and television promotions. Analysts have raised concerns about the potential turnout for the special election which is required to see implementation of the reforms.
Petro’s proposed special election, or popular consultation, needs Senate approval and requires approximately 13 million voters (one-third of those registered) to participate for its results to be valid. Political analysts suggest that turnout may be challenging, given his 2022 election garnered about 11.2 million votes. However, they maintain that energizing supporters could enhance Petro’s position heading into congressional elections in March 2026.
The ambitious health reform proposed by Petro seeks to eliminate private insurance companies, transferring control to a government agency aimed at improving the management of social security funds. Critics argue this transfers excessive authority to government bureaucrats and doubt the government’s capability to manage the system effectively.
Submit proposals aimed at improving labor conditions are also included in Petro’s reform package, such as increasing compensation for nighttime workers and limiting short-term contracts. However, these initiatives faced dismissal during a key committee vote, with opponents voicing concerns that such changes could lead to job losses, especially in a nation where over 55% operate informally without labor contracts. Critics argue that Petro’s reforms might not incentivize companies to employ informal workers.
In summary, President Gustavo Petro is actively campaigning for labor and health reforms in Colombia that have faced legislative challenges. His calls for a special election aim to engage citizens in decision-making, yet significant hurdles remain regarding voter turnout and political consensus. As the country prepares for upcoming elections, the success of these reforms will depend on public support and the ability to effectively mobilize Colombians towards the proposed changes.
Original Source: apnews.com
