Julio 05, 2005
Bolivia General Elections December 4
Congress finally reached an agreement so that general elections will take place the first Sunday in December and the Autonomy Referendum and election of constituents in July 2006. The Prefect election has also been moved to December.
Many lawmakers were hesitant to give up their posts, but it looks like we will have a new Congress as well. Some wonder whether the threats of some members of the social movements played a part in all this. A leader of the COR from El Alto threatened to take Congressmen from their homes for "chicotazos" (whippings) if they did not resign.
The testy session of Congress that lasted way into the wee early hours of the morning, included some threats of violence. MAS senator Filemon Escobar threatened Congress' president Hormando Vaca Diez, "I want to be in prison for 30 years for the murder of Hormando Vaca Diez and I am going to do it right now." Exactly what we need now is more silly talk like this.
The Congressmen and women who resigned know that they need to appear as if they are doing this for the best of the country if they want any chance of being reelected. This election will be huge. Evo Morales now receives the chance to put his money where his mouth is. If he is as beloved as he says he is and is the "#1 political force" in the country, then he has nothing to worry about except for winning the election, right?
Posted by eduardo at Julio 5, 2005 11:23 AM
Comments
I would imagine the first thing standing in Evo's way is the 65% negative approval rating. :)
I think he can win it, but he really has to think through how he's going to change the opinions of all those people with a significant negative view of him. Continuing to dig the hole he's in is probably not the answer...
Posted by: boz at Julio 5, 2005 10:03 PM
I am very troubled of his alliance with the left-center mayors, including del Granado of La Paz. In a way, they are condoning Evo's behavior and role in almost starving to death their citizens.
Posted by: eduardo at Julio 6, 2005 07:53 AM