LatinNews Daily - 02 July 2020 |
BOLIVIA: MAS denounces electoral exclusion efforts |
On 1 July, Bolivia’s Movimiento al Socialismo (MAS) opposition party issued a statement accusing the interim government of seeking to exclude MAS presidential candidate, Luis Arce, from competing in the upcoming general election. Analysis: Before the election was suspended in response to the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic, the MAS had repeatedly accused the interim government led by Jeanine Áñez (herself a presidential candidate) of using judicial persecution as a strategy to exclude MAS candidates, including Arce. Ongoing judicial processes have also been suspended during the pandemic, but with the election date rescheduled for 6 September (despite Áñez’s resistance), the interim government has appealed for these cases to be reopened, and filed a new corruption complaint against Arce. Tensions are still high following the resolution of the election date debate, and any genuine attempt to exclude Arce from the electoral process would unquestionably lead to renewed protests.
Looking Ahead: The statement also called on MAS-aligned social organisations and indigenous groups “to remain vigilant in the face of these attempts to suppress our rights”, seemingly raising the threat of renewed protests if Arce is excluded from the presidential contest. |