Bolivian Assembly Tries to Move Ahead
Bolivia s Constituent Assembly is trying to overcome its slow start, as discussion over its rules has come to a virtual standstill.

During its third session in the southern city of Sucre on Thursday, all 255 members of the Assembly continued hearing a virtually endless string of draft regulations (six on Wednesday and three on Thursday), with an agreement yet to be reached on whether the said procedure is the right one to be followed.

A special multi-party committee will again discuss all nine proposals in order to define, as soon as possible, the Assembly s internal rules, according to reports from Sucre.

Other main aspects slowing the progress of debate include the method of approval of articles to appear in the future Constitution, as well as suggestions about the number of committees in the Assembly.

The opposition, mainly representatives of Poder Democratico Social (Podemos) and Union Nacional (UN), has insisted on the option that all agreements must be adopted by a two-thirds vote.

However, the governing and majority Movement toward Socialism (MAS), consider it expedient to approve articles by an absolute majority and give plenipotentiary power to the Assembly.