Front-runner Ivan Duque chickens out of election debate [View all]

[Judi Lynn]

by Adriaan Alsema June 13, 2018

Colombia’s public TV networks have canceled Thursday’s debate between presidential candidates after the refusal of front-runner Ivan Duque to take part.

Duque’s refusal to confront his opponent, the leftist Gustavo Petro, has been fiercely criticized as it disallows voters to learn about the candidates’ proposals.

For the first time since 2006, when Duque’s political patron Alvaro Uribe also refused to take part in televised debates, the candidates will not confront each other on live television.

The campaign team of the conservative candidate defended the decision, claiming that Duque was not interested in responding to Petro’s criticism over the corruption practices and war crime allegations involving the political coalition supporting Duque.

More:
https://colombiareports.com/front-runner-ivan-duque-chickens-out-of-election-debate/