Colombian Senate OKs referendum on re-election

[Bacchus39]

Colombian Senate OKs referendum on re-election

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090520/ap_on_re_la_am_ca/lt_colombia_uribe_re_election;_ylt=AuwQ.sKnq.2N3nUdOnZyh_W3IxIF

Associated Press Writer Cesar Garcia, Associated Press Writer – 11 mins ago
BOGOTA – Colombian lawmakers on Tuesday approved a proposal for voters to decide in a referendum whether to change the constitution and let President Alvaro Uribe seek a third term.

The measure passed 62-5 following a heated session during which 26 opposition senators stormed out in protest. Colombia's Constitutional Court still must approve the referendum — and could take three months to rule.

Colombians have already amended the constitution once to let Uribe run for and win a second four-year term 2006. He has not said publicly whether he will try for a third term in 2010 elections.

Uribe, a conservative closely allied with Washington, is widely credited in Colombia with sharp declines in murder and kidnapping rates and with reclaiming large swaths of land from leftist rebels. Staunch supporters say he should be allowed to stay on to ensure the survival of his "Democratic Security" policy.

But critics have urged Uribe to step aside, saying eight years is enough and a healthy democracy requires alternating leadership. His presidency has been buffeted by the alleged Army killings of more than 1,600 civilians, a collapsed pyramid scheme, a wiretap scandal and allegations that two sons may have benefited inappropriately from a land investment.

Pro-Uribe Senate majority leader Hernan Andrade criticized the opposition for boycotting Tuesday's vote after participating in previous debates.

But opposition Sen. Jaime Dussan said: "We're going to pull out, and starting today we're beginning a national campaign" against amending the charter.

Uribe's approval rating reached a high of 85 percent last year after the stunning rescue of three U.S. military contractors and French-Colombian politician Ingrid Betancourt from the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia. It is still 68 percent, according to a poll this month.

Polls show there is no clear favorite if Uribe does not run.

His defense minister, Juan Manuel Santos, resigned Monday and said he would launch his own presidential bid if Uribe does not run for a third term.