Dr Annette Idler discusses the Colombian vote against its government’s peace deal

Annette Idler has made numerous media appearances commenting on the 'No' vote in the Colombian plebiscite on a peace deal with the FARC rebels.

She wrote an article for the Washington Post’s ‘Monkey Cage’ blog that was reproduced on OpenDemocracy, and our own OxPol blog. She also appeared on the BBC World Service 'Newshour' programme (around 35 mins in), BBC World News (see image above) and twice on Austrian FM4 radio. A recording of the the first of these recordings can be heard here:

http://www.politics.ox.ac.uk/materials/news/Idler_rejection_of_peace_deal.mp3

One question she was frequently asked was why such a small proportion of the population actually voted. She said that there were various possible explanations: extreme weather meant that many couldn’t actually get to the polls and, in a country that has been at war for over half a century, many are uncertain what peace will actually mean for them.

She added that one positive aspect is that the president is including his political rival and the FARC in renewed negotiations.