Green candidate Mockus aims for change

Colombian presidential candidate Anatanas Mockus's rise to stardom has been dazzling. The Green candidate wants to change Colombians' way of thinking and set up a new citizen-oriented culture.

FOCUS

By Romeo Langlois

Green Party candidate Antanas Mockus, former mayor of Bogota, is one of the front-runners for Sunday's presidential elections.

Popular with voters old and young, the 58-year-old son of a Lithuanian immigrant wants to bring educational revolution to Colombia and weed out the violence plaguing Colombia.

Mockus also enjoys wide support for his stance on environmental protection and social dialogue.

A philosopher and a mathematician by trade, Mockus wants to change Colombians' way of thinking and set up a new citizen-oriented culture.

Critics, however, argue that it will take more than slogans and catchphrases to rescue a country ravaged by corruption and drug trafficking.

Mockus is competing against a tough rival: Juan Manuel Santos, former Defence Minister and political heir of popular incumbent president, Alvaro Uribe.

Opinion polls predict the two men will meet again for the second round of these elections.

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- Colombia - presidential elections