Between love and hate: this was Benedetti's reception in Congress

“Out, out, out,” was the unanimous rejection heard in the plenary session of the House of Representatives upon the arrival of the new Minister of the Interior, Armando Benedetti.

His resume was made public on Monday evening and the new senior official immediately began his work in Congress on Tuesday afternoon.

The first task he did upon arriving at his “old house” was to meet with the president of the Chamber, Jaime Raúl Salamanca, who received him like a hero in his office, which is next to that of the first vice president Jorge Rodrigo Tovar, one of the heads of the board of directors who has not signed the agenda to include the health reform.

Tovar confirmed that the new minister would have been in his office but that he was unable to receive him as he was leading the plenary session at that time.

Since Tovar was not present, the meeting, which lasted no more than 15 minutes, was held in the presidential office, and there, by "coincidence," the new Minister of Labor, Antonio Sanguino, the representative David Racero, and the senators Julio Alberto Elías Vidal and Julio Elías Chagüi arrived.

"I don't know what the Minister of the Interior, Armando Benedetti, is doing. I'm just here to discuss a specific matter with the Speaker of the House," said Gloria's replacement Inés Ramírez. He then confirmed that the entire Executive is focused on moving forward with the debate on the health and labor reform.

On leaving the small meeting with the head of the House and the congressmen, Benedetti was reserved and assured that he was not going to make any statements because he had “a long tongue.”

"I'm not going to say anything, I'd have to be very fond of life to talk before taking office," said the new Minister of the Interior, who did not confirm the date on which he will officially assume the portfolio.

Accompanied by the director of the Administrative Department of the Presidency (Dapre), Angie Rodríguez, he said that he had already had meetings with all the House benches. He also confirmed that he hopes to have meetings with the Senate benches next week.

In those brief messages he gave to the press, he stated that they have never had the right to vote for women. And it was women themselves who did not welcome him since he first set foot in the House of Representatives.

The place went from having a calm atmosphere to being filled with murmurs, shouts and a lot of noise. Benedetti went through many of the seats to speak with the representatives and stayed longer in the section of the members of the Historic Pact bench, who celebrated his presence.

Independent women, such as Representative Jennifer Pedraza, had a different attitude. She carried a sign in her hand (Out with Benedetti) and asked for the new minister to step down. The congresswoman was one of the seven who signed a letter rejecting the former ambassador's appointment.

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The second vice president of the Chamber, Lina María Garrido, was in the same line. During the session she remained seated at her post at the board of directors, holding up a paper that said “your post is Benedetti below.”

The congresswoman told EL TIEMPO: “I hope they respect my position and my seat at the board of directors. I will not accept Mr. Armando Benedetti sitting at the board of directors. Unfortunately, I cannot prevent him from entering the Chamber of Representatives, but I can allow him to do so where the ministers sit.”

The disorder that arose in the plenary session was calmed by the representative of the Democratic Center, Hernán Cadavid, who in a motion of order asked for respect.

"I feel sorry for the political star Armando Benedetti, but this plenary session must be respected. There are others who claimed to reject him and today have been subjected to his orders," said the congressman.

The Benedetti 'effect' in the plenary session lasted no more than half an hour, where the discussion took shape again and the debate focused again on the project that seeks to increase the salaries of councillors.

Maria Alejandra Gonzalez Duarte