RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The presidents of both Chile, Sebastián Piñera, and Bolivia, Evo Morales, have been pressured to resign and are facing demonstrations in opposition to their governments. Although they are facing protests for different reasons, both agree that they do not intend to resign from their positions.
In Chile, the protests began on October 17th, after Piñera’s government increased subway fares. Even after the president backed down and canceled the increase, the demonstrations did not end. Piñera also announced packages of measures to contain Chilean’s discontent, but the announcements did not allay the protests.
Chile has been the stage for the most violent and numerous demonstrations of the past thirty years.
“Surely I will reach the end of my term in office. I was democratically elected by a large majority of Chileans,” Piñera said on Tuesday, November 5th, in an interview with the British BBC, a public media company.
However, after more than 20 days of protests, the Chilean president conceded for the first time the possibility of reforming the Constitution, drawn up during the Pinochet dictatorship. “We are willing to discuss everything, including a reform of the Constitution,” Piñera said.
Among the measures to contain the demonstrations, the Chilean president announced an aid package for 6,800 small and micro-companies affected by the social crisis, as well as a 20 percent increase in basic pensions, an increase in the monthly minimum wage to US$482, a tax on the wealthy – those with incomes exceeding US$11,000 per month, and a reduction in electricity tariffs. Piñera also switched eight of his 24 cabinet ministers.
If Piñera were to resign today, the Chilean constitution would require him to be replaced by the Minister of the Interior, who would call new elections. The winner would complete the current term. The reason for this is that Piñera has not yet served two years in office (he was elected in March last year). Should the resignation occur after two years in office, Congress is in charge of deciding the replacement’s name.
In Bolivia, Morales has been facing demonstrations since October 21st, the day after the general elections. Morales was elected in the first round for his fourth consecutive term, amid a muddled vote count and suspicions of electoral fraud.
Initially, the opposition called for a second round of elections. However, as the days went by and demonstrations escalated, opponents hardened their discourse and began to call for the annulment of the elections, a new ballot, and Morales’ resignation.
“What resignation? Here we are going to comply with the political constitution of the state and enforce the vote of the Bolivian people. The great issue that some groups are experiencing is that they do not accept the vote of the indigenous movement,” said Morales, who claimed to be hurt by the lies and accusations made against him.
Opposition movements are paralyzing the country, with no date for ending. They have decided to paralyze state institutions and Bolivia’s borders, with the exception of allowing international airports and essential basic services and medical emergencies to operate.
A 30-member delegation from the Organization of American States (OAS) is conducting an audit to determine whether or not there was a fraud in the elections. Morales said that if irregularities are detected, he will be willing to proceed to the second round. The audit results are expected to be released next week.
Source: Agência Brasil