The Green Party candidate, Antanas Mockus, may be elected president in Colombia. Although there is some environmental consciousness in Colombia, there is no groundswell. Voters, tired from the old political structure loaded with favoritism and corruption, may vote him in. To my knowledge, he will be the world’s first Green Party president or prime minister.

The 1991 Constitution encouraged a multi-party electorate. Previously, the Liberal and Conservative Parties dominated the political scene. To become president, the candidate must obtain 50% of the vote. In a multi-party state with many candidates, there is a frequently a runoff election. The last polls show Juan Manuel Santos, former defense minister, leads the polls with 30% and Antanas Mockus with 20%.

Mockus had a good record in two terms as Bogota’s mayor. His vice-presidential running mate, Sergio Fajardo, had a fine record as the second largest city’s (Medellin) mayor.

The current president, Alvaro Uribe, has had many accomplishments and failures. When any organization criticizes his human rights record, his standard response is that the organization is infiltrated by FARC. His government participates illegal wire tapping and his army kills young peasants, disguises the bodies with guerilla garb and collects bonuses for killing a FARC guerilla. These killings are called falsos positivos (false positives).

The president’s economic policy has been to give lower tax rates for the corporations and the rich. Since the unemployment is 16%, the policies have failed the poor and middle class.

Elections in this hemisphere generally get coverage for a day or two. Should Antanas Mockus earn first or second place in the May 30, 2010 election, there will be a runoff and the coverage will be more extensive.

Ed O’Rourke is a retired certified public accountant now living in Medellin, Colombia.