This is the constitutional reform that would end the replacement of votes in Colombia; the $ 5.000 million that will receive Claudia López opened the debate

In Colombia, a constitutional reform aimed at ending vote reimbursement in internal and inter-party consultations has gained momentum following the revelation that former Bogotá mayor Claudia López will receive nearly $5 billion in such reimbursements. The issue sparked political controversy after Semana disclosed on August 19 that López would be the first candidate to receive substantial funds through this mechanism, which was created by her own initiative during a March 8 consultation to determine the center-left presidential candidate for the 2022 election. The National Electoral Council (CNE) authorized the payment of almost 5.000 million pesos to López for vote reimbursement, based on the 573,104 votes she received in that consultation. This sum, calculated at 8,710 pesos per vote, has drawn criticism because the consultation was designed specifically to support her candidacy, raising concerns that it was used as a strategy to maintain political relevance and secure financial resources for future ambitions, including a potential run in 2027. While other presidential candidates are also set to receive similar funds, López’s case has been particularly scrutinized due to the perceived self-serving nature of the process. The proposed reform, known as Acto Legislativo, seeks to amend Article 109 of the Colombian Constitution. It aims to eliminate state funding through the system of reimbursing expenses based on votes obtained in internal, popular, and inter-party consultations conducted by political parties, movements, and citizen groups. The reform introduces two key changes: first, it eliminates the practice of reimbursing costs linked to votes earned in these consultations, effectively ending the current system. Second, it establishes that campaigns for approved candidates will be partially funded by public resources, with the percentage determined by law, thereby increasing the requirements for eligibility. The legislation also allows for limitations on campaign spending by political entities and individual candidates, as well as caps on private contributions, all subject to legal parameters. These measures aim to prevent the misuse of public funds and ensure greater transparency and fairness in political financing. The initiative was introduced by Senator Hernán Cadavid of the Centro Democrático party, who criticized the CNE's decision to authorize the reimbursement, arguing that López entered the presidential race solely to obtain such funds despite having little chance of winning. Cadavid accused the CNE of enabling a "bottomless barrel" of unjustified benefits for political actors, emphasizing the need to close this loophole. He argued that the state-funded campaign finance model was originally intended to level the playing field, allowing all participants to have economic backing, but has instead become a tool for personal gain. His remarks reflect broader frustrations among some lawmakers over the perceived exploitation of the system by certain politicians. Despite its clear intent, the reform faces potential obstacles. Some legislators argue that the current system, while flawed, serves a purpose by ensuring that even less-resourced candidates can compete fairly. Others warn that removing the reimbursement could disproportionately affect smaller parties and grassroots movements that rely on such mechanisms to sustain their operations. As the legislative process moves forward, the debate over the reform will likely intensify, with stakeholders weighing the balance between preventing abuse and preserving democratic access.