Congress threatens to strike over anti-corruption measures

[Judi Lynn]

Congress threatens to strike over anti-corruption measures
Tuesday, 16 November 2010 18:18 Adriaan Alsema

Colombia's congress threatens to strike amid a clash with the country's interior and justice minister over the delay in the debates on anti-corruption measures.

Congress President Armando Benedetti proposed to the Senate's First Commission to halt its activities until there is clarity about alleged criticism expressed by Minister German Vargas Lleras about the delay.

While President Juan Manuel Santos and his ministers were looking back at the first 100 days of government, Vargas Lleras expressed concern about the delay in getting the anti-corruption legislation on the agenda of the First Commission. This commission is presided by Conservative Party Senator Eduardo Enriquez Maya, whose party immediately denied blocking anti-corruption measures and accused the government of wanting to push legislation through congress, without allowing the lawmakers to debate and vote on proposals.

Benedetti wants the government and the Conservative Party to clarify their position, before the commission resumes work.

http://colombiareports.com/colombia-news/news/12938-congress-threatens-to-strike-over-anti-corruption-measures.html