Independent Democratic Pole
Independent Democratic Pole | |
|---|---|
| Political position | Left-wing |
| Regional affiliation | COPPPAL |
| International affiliation | Socialist International (Observer) |
| This article is part of a series on the |
| Politics of Colombia |
|---|
 |
The Independent Democratic Pole (Polo Democrático Independiente) or (PDI), was a
.Origins
Originally formed as a left-wing congressional coalition, the party itself was officially founded on July 17, 2003. The congressional movement consisted of the union of diverse tendencies among the Colombian left (including former guerrillas, labor and union leaders, indigenous representatives and others), including many of, but not necessarily limited to,
Some of the members of the original group which did not formally join the new party remained as members of separate political structures, one of which then founded Democratic Alternative (AD).
Political platform
The PDI's platform principally consisted of supporting a negotiated settlement with the country's leftwing insurgencies, defending the principles and practical applications of Colombia's 1991 Constitution, rejecting the country's traditionally
Political development
Despite threats and violent actions from elements of the country's radical right-wing, most notably from
The PDI was present as an observer in the Socialist International. The PDI was in political opposition to the government of president Álvaro Uribe, being critical of many of his actions and generally rejecting his policies as counter-productive or ineffective. This has not prevented several of its members from participating in discussions and finding points of agreement with some Uribe supporters or with other more traditional politicians.
Ahead of the 2006 elections, the PDI and Democratic Alternative formed an alliance called Alternative Democratic Pole (PDA). The PDA chose AD's Carlos Gaviria Díaz as its presidential candidate, defeating the PDI's Antonio Navarro Wolff in a close race.
See also
External links
- PDI webpage
- Democracia a distancia: Elecciones 2006 (Portalcol.com) (Information about the Pole's list of candidates to the Colombian Senate, Spanish).
