Morales Inelegible for Next Election, Says Bolivian Interim President

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Interim Bolivian President Jeanine Áñez said yesterday that former President Evo Morales will not be able to take part in the next elections, but that his party, the Movement for Socialism (MAS), is in a position to run.

“Tell the MAS that they have every right to take part in the elections and that they should look for a candidate. Evo and Álvaro [García Linera, former vice president], however, are not qualified for a fourth term,” said Jeanine Áñez, without elaborating further.

On Tuesday, November 12th, after declaring herself president before a legislative assembly without a quorum, Jeanine said she will call for elections as soon as possible and revoke the Constitutional Court’s decision that allowed Morales and García Linera to run for the fourth term, contrary to a decision expressed in a referendum.

Bolivia has been plunged into a deep political and social crisis since the October 20th elections, which gave the MAS candidate victory in the first round, but the opposition questioned the results.

Last night, the interim president appointed an emergency cabinet with only 11 ministers to begin the transition after military and police pressure led to the resignation of then-President Evo Morales, instigating a political crisis that has caused ten deaths and more than 500 wounded.

Hours earlier, after her first speech to the nation, Jeanine Áñez appointed the new military chiefs, who will be led by Army General Carlos Orellana, appointed commander of the Armed Forces.

On the streets of La Paz, clashes between MAS supporters and the security forces are ongoing.

The interim president denies that a coup has taken place in the country, contrary to what Morales has been denouncing before the international community. He is currently in asylum in Mexico.

Source: Agência Brasil

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