Pacto Histórico Emerges as Largest Bloc in Colombia’s 2026 Parliamentary Elections

On 08/03/2026, Colombia held nationwide parliamentary elections that resulted in the governing alliance led by President Gustavo Petro securing a plurality of seats in both chambers of the National Congress. The left-wing coalition, known as Pacto Histórico, finished as the largest single bloc in the Senate and also placed first in the Chamber of Representatives. The elections took place as part of Colombia’s regular legislative cycle and were held simultaneously with inter-party presidential primaries ahead of the country’s May 2026 presidential election. In the Senate race, Pacto Histórico obtained 25 seats, representing approximately 22.86 percent of the national vote. The conservative opposition party Centro Democrático finished second with 17 seats and about 15.89 percent of the vote. Other parties securing representation included the Liberal Party with 13 seats, the Alliance for Colombia with 11 seats, and the Conservative Party with 10 seats. The results consolidated the governing coalition’s position as the largest parliamentary force, though not an outright majority. In the Chamber of Representatives, Pacto Histórico also placed first, receiving approximately 32.92 percent of the vote nationwide. Centro Democrático ranked second with 23.62 percent, while the Green Alliance placed third with 8.47 percent. The distribution of seats confirmed the ruling alliance as the most influential bloc in the lower house, though the chamber remained fragmented among multiple political parties and coalitions. The parliamentary elections carried additional political significance because President Gustavo Petro is constitutionally barred from seeking a second presidential term under Colombia’s constitution. The strong performance by Pacto Histórico was widely viewed as strengthening the political standing of potential successors within the coalition ahead of the May 2026 presidential election. Among those positioned within the ruling alliance is Senator Iván Cepeda Castro, who has been considered a prominent figure within the coalition’s leadership. Meanwhile, the opposition Centro Democrático remained the principal challenger to the governing alliance. The party is closely associated with former president Álvaro Uribe and continues to represent the largest opposition force in the Colombian political landscape despite finishing behind the ruling coalition in both chambers. The March elections also included party primaries aimed at selecting presidential candidates for the upcoming national vote.