Sharjah24 – Reuters: Colombians vote on Sunday to choose a new president from among a former rebel promising generous social programs, a center-right candidate warning against a leftist economic model, and an eccentric business magnate.
Gustavo Petro, a leftist former mayor of Bogota and member of the M-19 guerrilla group and current senator, is consistently leading opinion polls with around 40% support, ten points below what he would need to secure the presidency without a June second round.
The 62-year-old has attracted backing on promises to redistribute pensions, offer free public university, and battle deep inequality. Read full story
His main opponent is Federico Gutierrez, the center-right former mayor of Medellin, who has around 25% support.
Gutierrez has emphasized his own plans for a basic income for 5 million households, economic growth of 5% per year, and more efficient government spending in response to accusations he is an ideological successor to unpopular President Ivan Duque.
Polling third in the six-way race is construction magnate and former mayor of Bucaramanga Rodolfo Hernandez, with about 20% support.
Polls will open at 8 a.m. local time and close at 4 p.m. (2100 GMT). Officials have said they expects results around four hours later.
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