LA PAZ (Reuters) – Bolivia’s President Evo Morales will run for re-election in October to press on with his promise of expanding social reforms in the Andean nation, the vice president of the ruling party said yesterday.
The former coca farmer became Bolivia’s first indigenous leader in 2006. Morales, 54, is lauded by supporters as a champion of the poor committed to easing the country’s grinding poverty and standing up against the United States.
Historically one of South America’s most unstable countries, Bolivia has enjoyed relative prosperity and calm since Morales came to power. Gross domestic product per capita doubled between 2005 and 2011.
“Our president and vice president are confirmed as candidates for re-election,” Concepcion Ortiz, vice president of the ruling Movement Towards Socialism (MAS), said. “Social organisations across the country have said that he has to go for re-election.”
Morales critics accuse the leftist politician of defying the constitution, which allows a president two consecutive terms in office. Morales was first elected in 2006 and then again in 2009. The constitutional term limit was adopted in 2009.
Last year the Supreme Court decreed his 2006-09 period in office should not be counted as a first term as it preceded the adoption of the constitution.
The opposition called the ruling unacceptable.
Morales is the clear front-runner in the October 12 vote, polling at about 44 per cent. His nearest rival, cement tycoon Samuel Doria Medina, trails by almost 30 points.
To win the election, a candidate needs to win an absolute majority or at least 40 per cent with a winning margin of more 10 percentage points or more over the second-place candidate.
Bolivia is one of Latin America’s poorest countries. However the vote comes a year after the roughly $30 billion economy grew 6.5 per cent, its quickest pace in nearly 30 years, boosted by high prices for natural gas sold to Argentina and Brazil.
Growth will slow to a 5.7 per cent this year, according to government estimates in December.
Under Morales, Bolivia has nationalised key industries, including the hydrocarbon and utility sectors. But he has been willing to guarantee legal assurances for foreign miners.
A new government programme, “United we live well”, pledges to consolidate the achievements of eight years in office, and continue political, economic and social reforms.
Morales is a harsh critic of the United States and staunch ally of Venezuela and Cuba.
