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Of: TT
Published:
February 1 | Photo: Juan Karita / AP / TT
An Evo Morales supporter wearing a mask representing the former president during a campaign rally of the Mas Socialist Party and its presidential candidate Luis Arce in the Bolivian capital La Paz in September.
For the first time in decades, his name is not on the ballot. But the influence of leftist icon Evo Morale could be decisive in Sunday’s elections in Bolivia, for better or worse for his party.
Turbulent times prevail in Bolivia. Amid the pandemic hitting the economy, the country has also gone through a political crisis.
After nearly 14 years in power, the revolutionary government of the Socialist Party came to an abrupt end in November last year, when President Evo Morales was forced to resign after a controversial election that sparked violent protests.
The transitional government of conservative Jeanine Añéz has done everything possible to change the country’s political course. Re-election has been postponed twice in reference to the spread of the infection.
When the time finally comes, the country is divided into three camps.
Support rejected
Morales, exiled in Argentina, cannot run for president or parliament. Instead, Mas is represented by former Economy Minister Luis Arce, who leads the polls. It inherits a strong core of support among the country’s large indigenous population and among many poor people, who have generally improved under the Morale government.
With years of strong economic growth and investment in social programs and infrastructure, made possible by the nationalization of the country’s energy resources, the former president has long been widely recognized. As the first indigenous president, Morales has also reestablished the long-repressed majority.
But more than 60 percent support for the glory days waned in recent years when growth stalled and power seemed to rise to Morales’ head. A president can only really sit for two terms in Bolivia. But with the help of a loyal constitutional court, Morales managed to round out the constitution, and in 2019 defended a criticized fourth term.
Furthermore, when his narrow electoral victory was questioned, widespread protests broke out that forced him to leave power.
Strong tensions
Arce is now fighting to rally at least the 40 percent needed to avoid a second round of elections. The second in the polls is the former president and candidate of the center Carlos Mesa. He leads the Citizen Community Party alliance and has experience as a respected historian. Two former candidates, including interim President Añéz, have withdrawn in hopes of rallying the opposition behind Mesa to stop the Socialist Mas Party’s withdrawal.
But the third in the polls, businessman Luis Fernando Camacho, did not want to join that plan. Using far-right populist rhetoric, he has been compared to Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro. Among other things, Camacho has vowed to return God to the presidential palace.
The strong tensions before the elections have sometimes degenerated into violence between the supporters of the different parties.
The big question is: Will Bolivia break with the Morale legacy or will it assume it in a new way?
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