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Bolivian
President Morales On Hunger Strike
Bolivian
President Morales On Hunger Strike
Lima - Bolivian President Evo Morales has
been on a hunger strike since Thursday, and
it may last until the Congress passes a new
electoral law. It is rare to see a president
on hunger strike. Accompanying Morales in
the strike at the presidential palace are
leaders of farmer and labor groups.
More than 1,000 other people have also
joined the strike across the country.
At issue is the delay in the passage of the
law which would give the indigenous
majority, they comprise two-thirds of the
population, greater voting and other rights.
Although Morales' allies control the lower
house, the opposition holds a majority in
the Senate, allowing his opponents to block
the proposal.
A new constitution was approved by a general
vote on Jan. 25, which calls for the
Congress to approve the new electoral law
before April 9 and ratify Dec. 6 as the date
for the next general election.
Morales was elected in December 2005, and
took office in January 2006 with a five-year
term. Opponents of Morales claim hismove to
pass the new law is to secure a second term
in office.
As Bolivia's first indigenous Indian
president, Morales is considered a favorite
to win the election.
The new law, therefore, is being strongly
opposed by the mixed-blood population in the
richer eastern provinces, where about
one-third live. Violent clashes have taken
place over the disagreement, which have
resulted in injuries and deaths.
The Bolivian government has accused the U.S.
government of supporting conspiracies to
oust Morales in a coup. Morales ordered the
expulsion of the U.S. ambassador to Bolivia
last September, as well as a secretary of
the U.S. embassy in January.
Now the opposition is trying their best to
block the law in Congress, which led to a
failed consensus at a plenary session on
Wednesday. They left the meeting, making it
impossible to pass the law.
Morales responded on Thursday by staging a
hunger strike, saying it will go on until
the law is passed.
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