Febrero 08, 2006
Recent News in Bolivia
A lot has been going on in Bolivia.
Lloyd Aereo Boliviano (LAB) is in shambles. A pilot strike has halted one of the two national airlines. The government has attempted to mediate, but no solution is in sight. Perhaps the government will nationalize the company in an attempt to solve the financial difficulties? There is speculation that the company did not fulfill the contract of capitalization and may play a part in any government intervention.
President Evo Morales announced that some of the “transnationals” have been scheming to destabilize the government. This is in reference to the vague “information” held by Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. However, this declaration differs greatly from radical Hydrocarbons Minister Andrez Solis who commented that he was pleasantly surprised that many of the executives from these transnationals were committed to renegotiate contracts. Meanwhile, oil company REPSOL is being investigated for alleged smuggling of contraband oil. This too would go against the contract of capitalization. See a pattern here?
However, the big news may be the recent proposal for the distribution of seats at the Constitutent Assembly table. Morales’ proposal submitted ot Congress calls for all 70 circunscripciones (districts) to elect three representatives. Any party, citizen group or indigenous group that receives more than 50% will gain all three seats. Anything less than half the votes will mean that the 1st place finisher will collect 1 seat and the 2nd place finisher will receive the other, much like how Departmental Senate seats are distributed. If this proposal goes through, and it will not go without a fight, then MAS stands to gain plenty of representation. If the patterns of the general election stays true and the 30 districts where MAS received more than 50%, then there they would already collect 90 of the 210 seats. All in all, they could receive about 68% of the 210 seats.
Already the civic committee in Santa Cruz announced that they would rather see a more fair distribution according to population.
Posted by eduardo at Febrero 8, 2006 10:57 PM
Comments
I'm surprised LAB is even running. Who owns them exactly? I thought they were owned by South Americans (not Bolivians).
Posted by: Izzy at Febrero 9, 2006 02:12 PM
the National Human Rights Assembly http://bolpress.com/sociedad.php?Cod=2006020911
has proposed a mix between this circunscription mode and an ethnic representation, giving 2 reps per each of the 68 circs., 2 for each department (154) and up to 3 for various ethnic/cultural groups of high and lowlands.
i think MAS's proposal is actually very fair-yes it happens they have a good chance of winning many seats but this is because they have widespread support. as opposed to PODEMOS, who have a Senate majority even though they lost national popular vote by more than 15%.
the important data to lookup would be how the distribution of circunscriptions correlates with population.
Posted by: eric at Febrero 9, 2006 03:26 PM
I thought Bolivia was in South America. Where am I?
Hola Eduardo
Solo pasaba a decirte que cambie la dirección de mi blog.
Saludos,
Posted by: påt®i©iå at Febrero 9, 2006 07:17 PM
Izzy: see my latest entry
Eric: I think MAS wants to take full advantage of their honeymoon period where they are more likely to receive the same type of support. However, the Prefect election demonstrated that a strong non-MAS candidate can do well in a MAS-supporter area.
Patricia: Gracias por la nueva direccion.
Posted by: eduardo at Febrero 9, 2006 08:15 PM