Consolation Prize Written on December 6, 2004, by Eddie.
MAS candidate and Barrio Flores favorite, Gonzalo Lema said he will respect the majority candidate. This means that when the final tallies are announced and if CU candidate Gonzalo Terceros is still leading (regardless of how little the difference), Lema’s councilmembers will cast their vote for Terceros.
What this means is that the notorious behind-the-scenes coalition wheeling and dealing may not happen. This saves Terceros from possibly having to align himself with his ex-party NFR.
However, Lema could shock everyone and form an alliance with NFR and UCS, springing MAS to its first-ever mayorship of one of the 4 major cities. Yet, it probably serves MAS’ best interest to remain in the opposition, with a strong 4 councilmembers of a possible 11.
These developments could keep NFR out of la Alcaldia, for the first time in ten years, which would be a great thing for Cochabamba (hence, the consolation prize).
Cochabamba Notes:
Check out Los Tiempos’ (Cochabamba newspaper) front page this morning. Possibly the worst front page ever, with Terceros pulling off a Michael Jackson dance move.
Vote dispersal? You betcha. The bottom nine candidates only totaled 8.4% of the total votes. The difference between Terceros and Lema is 2.7% If Bolivia’s system called for a second round run-off, would the support from the minor candidates push a greater mandate for one of the top two?
Cochabamba’s Corte Nacional Electoral page exists, but is not yet functioning. Hopefully this site will break down the vote according to districts and neighborhoods.
These are the elected councilmembers: Gonzalo Terceros (CIU),(Suplente: Miriam Cardona de Tomisic), Roberto Requena (CIU),Tatiana Rojas (CIU), Víctor Calderón (CIU), Ana Paulina Pinto (CIU), Gonzalo Lema (MAS), Oscar Coca (MAS), Clemencia Orellana (MAS), Javier Cremer (MAS), Jhonny Antezana (NFR),Edwin Mallón (UCS)
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If Lema is ready to accept whatever outcom, I am willing to be that the behind-the-doors negotiations did go on. They just went on between the two finalists. They could have striked a deal. If these two ally, the could lead the council.
Instead of a second round vote, I prefer the IRV formula (where voters rank order their candidates).
That sounds interesting. Is that in play anywhere in Latin America? Possibly it could help build better coalitions. In Santa Cruz, would it help Roberto Fernandez decide to form an alliance with Percy or with Vargas (according to voter preference).