Álvaro Uribe revealed the projects that the Democratic Center will present to Congress on July 20

Álvaro Uribe, former president of Colombia and leader of the Centro Democrático party, has outlined several legislative proposals that his group plans to submit to Congress on July 20. These initiatives will be part of the new legislative session, which begins on that date and will last four years. The proposals aim to address a range of social, economic, and institutional challenges facing the country under the incoming government led by Abelardo De La Espriella. The upcoming session marks a critical period for Colombian politics, with various political factions preparing their agendas. The Centro Democrático, one of the major parliamentary blocs, is expected to play a key role in shaping legislation during this time. Uribe shared some of the specific projects that his party intends to introduce, emphasizing policies designed to impact different sectors of society. Among the proposed measures is a plan to adjust property valuation systems so that the assessed value does not exceed 50 percent of the market price. This initiative seeks to ease the financial burden on homeowners and businesses affected by high property taxes. Another proposal focuses on increasing transparency in public spending by requiring the names of legislators who request budget allocations to be disclosed publicly. This measure aims to combat corruption within the legislative branch. A third project involves establishing a free technological training program aimed at young people from low-income backgrounds, providing them with skills that could lead to better employment opportunities. Additionally, there is a proposal to improve the national health system, including requirements for health insurance providers to obtain high-quality accreditation. This comes amid ongoing concerns over the efficiency and quality of healthcare services in Colombia. The Centro Democrático also plans to submit a bill to enhance protections for members of the security forces in relation to the Special Jurisdiction for Peace (JEP). This initiative reflects efforts to balance accountability mechanisms with the rights of military personnel. Another proposal targets small-scale miners, aiming to formalize their operations gradually to reduce illegal economies, eliminate mercury use, and facilitate gold purchases by the Bank of the Republic. Other initiatives include the seizure of drugs found in public spaces to combat drug trafficking, the establishment of an annual subsidy increase for elderly citizens tied to the inflation rate, and increased access to microloans and seed capital for small entrepreneurs, street vendors, and informal traders. There is also a proposal to restrict agricultural expansion until environmental compensation and reforestation efforts are advanced. Furthermore, the party plans to introduce a maintenance subsidy for young people benefiting from the Matrícula Cero program, ensuring that this support becomes a state policy with priority over other monetary transfer programs. These diverse proposals reflect the Centro Democrático's broad approach to addressing both immediate and long-term issues affecting Colombian society. The new legislative session starts on July 20, following recent calls from various groups for greater oversight and reform. As the session begins, the influence of the Centro Democrático and its legislative priorities will become increasingly evident in shaping the nation’s future policies.