Colombia’s ruling Historical Pact alliance (El Pacto Histórico) emerged victorious in Sunday’s congressional elections, securing the largest bloc in the Senate and leading in the House of Representatives, according to preliminary results released by the National Registry.
Voters across the country participated in elections for the Senate and House of Representatives, while also casting ballots in inter-party primaries to select presidential candidates for the first round of the presidential election scheduled for May 31, 2026.
With 98.17% of ballots counted nationwide for the Senate, the Historical Pact alliance leads with 25 seats. Its closest competitor, the right-wing Democratic Center party, secured 17 seats. Other notable results among traditional and established parties include:
Liberal Party: 13 seats
Alliance for Colombia: 11 seats
Conservative Party: 10 seats
U Party: 8 seats
Radical Change: 7 seats
Colombia Now: 5 seats
National Salvation: 4 seats
In the House of Representatives race, with 92.85% of ballots counted, the Historical Pact alliance topped the vote share at 32.92%, followed by the Democratic Center with 23.62% and the Green Alliance in third place with 8.47%.
The results represent a significant show of strength for the progressive coalition that has governed Colombia since President Gustavo Petro’s victory in 2022. Iván Cepeda, a prominent leader of the Historical Pact and the coalition’s confirmed presidential candidate, hailed the outcome as evidence of broad public support for a continued progressive agenda.
“This victory belongs not to us but to the Colombian people. The reason for this support is simple: we remained faithful to our people and largely fulfilled our government program,” Cepeda said. “With the strength this victory gives us, we are taking the next step. We will win the presidential election in the first round on May 31.”
Cepeda described the congressional triumph as “a sign of a second progressive government,” underscoring the alliance’s confidence in maintaining power beyond the current administration.
The quick-count figures provide an early outline of the new Congress’s composition, although election authorities cautioned that they are not legally binding. Official results will be certified only after the review of any objections and final vote verification.
In parallel with the congressional vote, party coalitions held primaries to choose their presidential contenders for the May 31 first round:
Paloma Valencia, representing the Grand Alliance for Colombia (La Gran Consulta por Colombia) — a coalition of right- and center-right parties — won her primary with 45.70% of the vote.
Claudia López, from the centrist Solutions Alliance (Consulta de las Soluciones), received 8.14%.
Roy Barreras, candidate of the left-leaning and social democratic Front for Life (Frente por la Vida), secured 3.63%.
All three candidates qualified to advance to the presidential first round, setting the stage for a competitive race that will likely pit progressive, centrist, and conservative visions against one another.
The strong congressional performance by the Historical Pact positions it favorably for the presidential contest, granting the coalition a robust legislative base and momentum heading into the May vote. Analysts note that control of Congress will be crucial for any incoming administration seeking to advance ambitious reforms in areas such as social policy, economic redistribution, environmental protection, and security.
As Colombia prepares for the presidential election, the congressional results underscore the enduring appeal of progressive politics in parts of the electorate, even amid ongoing debates over governance, security challenges, and economic recovery. Official certification of the legislative results and further developments in the presidential primaries are expected in the coming days and weeks.
