Colombian rightists want third term for Uribe

By Hugh Bronstein

BOGOTA, July 22 (Reuters) - Allies of Colombian President Alvaro Uribe are pushing for a referendum that would let him stand for a third term to carry on his popular fight against Marxist guerrillas and keep foreign investment flowing.

Uribe, the closest ally of the United States in Latin America, is leaving open the option of running again in 2010, and polls say he would easily win.

But Colombia's scandal-hit Congress would first need to approve a referendum vote on whether to change the constitution allowing him to seek an unprecedented third term.

"We plan to introduce the bill before September, once we have gathered 5 million signatures supporting the referendum," said Sen. Carlos Garcia, head of the Party of National Social Unity which backs Uribe and is know as "Partido de la U".

Supporters have gathered 3.5 million signatures so far and the idea of a third term for the strong-willed conservative leader has won growing support in recent months.

"We put the chances of Uribe seeking and winning a third term at 60 percent, with downside risk to Colombia's institutional stability and integrity," said Patrick Esteruelas at the Eurasia Group consultancy in New York.

Opposition lawmakers and some members of Uribe's own coalition fear that a third term would allow him to dominate Congress, the courts and the central bank, disturbing the balance of power.

Uribe has said he would prefer to step aside but also that he would run again if that is the only way to keep his economic policies and tough security measures on track.