Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2-2018
Volume
1
Issue
2
First Page
1
Last Page
7
Abstract
Semana’s most recent poll puts Gustavo Petro clearly in the lead for voting intentions (23.4%), followed closely by Fajardo (21.6%) and with Vargas Lleras (14.8%) a distant third. De la Calle (10.6%) is fourth, and Marta Lucía Ramírez (7.8%), fifth. Many commentators try to figure out how these results will facilitate alliances after the March vote to Congress, and in the second round of the Presidential election. To test possible scenarios, we have analyzed Twitter conversations from January through the lens of relationships between candidates. That is, we are interested in who talks to whom, not only because elections are supposed to foster dialogue about issues of importance to citizens, but because these interactions might affect candidates’ future prospects. For instance, De la Calle has already said he will never get into an alliance with Vargas Lleras. Many voters would consider him untrustworthy –a sin with which a politician cannot live– if he changes his mind. Today’s interactions are all about building trust with followers and showing others’ followers they might not be such a bad option if their favorite candidate does not make it to the final.