Interview | Lidio García, President of the Senate: "For the sake of democracy, the decisions of Congress are respected."

The president of Congress, liberal senator Lidio García , spoke with EL TIEMPO following the election of Carlos Camargo as a Constitutional Court judge. He lamented the reaction of President Gustavo Petro 's government and called for respect for the separation of powers.

"I will be decisive in every decision: I will not allow pressure or interference with our independence. Our decisions, for or against, are respected for the good of democracy," he said.

It was a decision made by the majorities in Congress. That's democracy. Congress, in this case the Senate, demonstrated the independence it possesses and demands by refusing to accept interference or impositions. The decision regarding Carlos Camargo wasn't well received by the government, but it was well received by a large part of the country.

The difference was 21 votes; I thought it would be one, two, or three. It's regrettable that a decision by Congress generates a political-administrative backlash that leaves much to be said. It was clear that there was pressure to force the senators who held certain seats to vote for the government's preferred candidate. The answer is clear: since things didn't work out, the drastic decision was made to remove three ministers, and it's unknown who else. Let's hope this is handled with more dignity and decency.

What I've tried to provide are guarantees for all sectors, and that's what I've done. What does a minister have to do in the election of a magistrate? Ministers have to go to Congress to defend or support a bill, nothing more. We've never interfered when it's up to the President or the Supreme Court to select a shortlist. They choose it, and we decide who we vote for. What we did was to ensure greater peace of mind and greater transparency.

What we want is for each of those chosen to be a defender of the Constitution and the laws. Nothing more. We don't want abuses or people who don't do the right thing. Everyone on the shortlist had the qualifications, and I find it impossible to believe that the Supreme Court of Justice would nominate someone who doesn't have the qualities. All three had the profile, the qualities, and the track record. In this case, the chosen one was Mr. Carlos Camargo, and he bears many expectations and great responsibilities to the Colombian people to defend the Constitution.

These statements are unfortunate. The Senate has never used such concepts when choosing a candidate. We have been very respectful of religious, political, sexual, and racial leanings. Congress is Colombia: we have chosen a variety of very important people, and we have never considered whether they are white, Black, conservative, liberal, or left-wing. We have always been mindful of ensuring that a candidate fits a specific profile and that it is one that appeals to the majority of senators. Period.

My relationship with the President is harmonious. I've never had any problems with him. I'm very respectful. I can only speak for my presidency, and I'll provide guarantees to everyone. That's what I'm doing, what I did, and what I will always do. If I'm in that position, I think the debate will be enriching and peaceful. But the problem is that if things don't go well for the Government, everything is bad; but when things go well, Congress is excellent. That can't be. We can't allow these kinds of attacks on Congress and on each of us to continue. In my case, many people applaud what I did, but some came out to attack me from within the Government itself, that very night.

That's the government's responsibility: to seek majorities. It's the Interior Minister's responsibility to use his political expertise. There are many bills in Congress that have been voted on and passed without any problems. What I don't understand is why, if the government's candidate isn't chosen, Congress becomes evil, fascist, and an "enemy of the people." I want to see what the Colombian people, who applauded the election of Carlos Camargo, are saying.

What I see is that, if they're presenting a budget of 557 billion pesos, why didn't they break down the 26 trillion pesos? We would have had a different discussion and avoided a tax reform on the eve of elections. That's the most unpopular thing there is right now, and I don't know who's going to vote for tax reform in such a tense political context.

I hope Congress approves the President's budget. It would be a good message to reassure the public. But it would be a budget that faithfully meets the needs of the Colombian people.

Proper dissemination of the bill could allow for agreements. But if it's not approved, the President will have to do so by decree. But that wouldn't send a good message. Politics needs to turn the page every day. Let's move on from the election of the magistrate and seek to secure the budget that will allow the country to move forward.

He knows Congress perfectly; he knows there are times when you win and when you lose. All I want is respect for the independence of the branches: that they respect the legislature, we respect the executive branch, and the same with the judiciary. If there's respect between the three branches of government, things can turn out well for everyone. We need more restraint, calm, and respect for decisions.

I have no doubt there will be elections in 2026. That's what the Constitution says, and we must uphold it. There's no doubt about it, and I don't think the President has any either. There are those who have unconstitutional desires, which I don't see any legal basis for, and I hope the President thinks so too.

Every step in life teaches us lessons. Today I feel much more experienced than the first time, more serene. But I will also be decisive in every decision: I will not allow pressure or interference with our independence. Our decisions, for or against, are respected for the sake of democracy.