Colombia's highest court approves law allowing presidents to seek re-election

Colombia's highest court on Wednesday approved a law allowing a president to run for a second term, but popular President Alvaro Uribe faces another hurdle before he can seek re-election next year.

In a landmark ruling, the Constitutional Court approved the legislation passed by Congress last year that scraps a ban on presidential re-election, said court president Manuel Jose Cepeda.

Polls show that Uribe, a staunch Washington ally, would sweep to victory in next May's presidential vote if permitted to run, thanks to his tough military policies against leftist rebels and drug traffickers.

But Uribe, 53, must still wait for a court verdict on a second law passed by Congress before his name can officially appear on the ballot in the May elections. That measure would establish rules for incumbents seeking second terms in an attempt ensure they don't abuse their power for electoral gain. A ruling on the Electoral Guarantees Law is expected sometime in November, AP reports.

A.M.

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