Colombia’s Congress Elects Electoral Council With Seven Government-Aligned Seats

Colombia’s Congress has elected all nine magistrates of the National Electoral Council for a four-year term beginning September 1. Seven seats went to parties aligned with President Abelardo de la Espriella’s governing coalition, while the opposition Pacto Histórico secured two. The joint Senate-House vote ended late Tuesday after hours of negotiations. The CNE oversees elections, political parties and campaign finance, and can impose sanctions. Its new composition is consequential because the council is expected to examine whether De la Espriella’s presidential campaign exceeded spending limits and to decide disputes over party recognition and proposed splits.