Since taking office in August 2022, President Gustavo Petro has made 17 changes to his ministerial cabinet in a period of 22 months. These frequent moves have generated criticism and concerns about the stability and continuity in the execution of public policies.
Senator Carlos Fernando Motoa, from the Cambio Radical Party, has analyzed the average duration of ministers in the Petro government, concluding that it is 12.7 months.
Petro’s government has been characterized by its high ministerial turnover. In mid-2024, there were changes in the Ministries of Justice, Interior, and Agriculture, fueling rumors about possible future changes in other portfolios. Among the most affected ministries are those of Education, Transportation, Mines and Energy, and Housing. Motoa highlights that this turnover affects the functioning of the government and the implementation of its policies.
Motoa used data from different sources to calculate that ministers in the Petro government last, on average, 12.7 months in their posts. In his analysis, he highlighted that 73.7% of the cabinet has been renewed in less than two years. This data reveals significant instability, with ministries such as Sports having up to three different heads in that period.
High ministerial turnover can have several negative effects, because institutional instability can be perceived. Each change of minister disrupts the continuity in the administration of policies and programs, which affects the efficiency of the government.
The “learning curve” starts again with each new minister, delaying the implementation of policies and projects. In addition, the lack of continuity makes it difficult to preserve institutional memory, which is essential for the effective implementation of public policies.
In addition, new ministers may not be fully informed about ongoing projects, leading to lack of coordination and possible duplications or gaps in management.
Carlos Fernando Motoa’s analysis highlights a significant challenge for Gustavo Petro’s government: the need for greater stability and continuity in his ministerial team. Although change may be positive in refreshing ideas and approaches, the high frequency observed in this government could compromise the effectiveness of the administration and the implementation of its National Development Plan.
Juan Fernando Cristo, new Minister of the Interior
On Wednesday, through his account on the social network X, the head of State announced the appointment of Juan Fernando Cristo as the new Minister of the Interior, after the departure of Luis Fernando Velasco. So far there have been four replacements (Interior, Justice, Agriculture and Transportation).
2024-07-03 19:22:30