Former President Evo Morales chews coca leaves throughout a starvation strike in Lauca N, within the Chapare area, Bolivia, on Sunday, November 3, 2024, amid an ongoing political battle with the federal government of President Luis Arce. | Photograph credit score: AP
Bolivia’s Constitutional Courtroom banned former chief Evo Morales from working for re-election subsequent yr, after reaffirming {that a} president can not serve greater than two phrases.
In a ruling made public on Friday (November 8, 2024), confirming a 2023 choice, the excessive courtroom stated that the time period of an elected official is “just for two phrases, consecutive or not, with out the potential of extending it to a 3rd.” mandate.”
Morales, Bolivia’s first indigenous president, led the nation from 2006 to 2019 and was extraordinarily in style till he tried to bypass the structure and search a fourth time period.
The leftist received that vote, however was compelled to resign in 2019 amid lethal protests over alleged electoral fraud, and fled the nation.
He returned after his former ally Luis Arce received the presidency in 2020, however the two males have since fought for energy over the ruling social gathering.
The ruling introduced on Friday got here in response to a request from a parliamentarian who requested the constitutional courtroom to make clear doubts about its December 2023 choice.
It additionally marks roughly a month of protests by Morales supporters, who blocked roads, took troopers hostage and known as for Arce’s resignation.
Rape cost
The protests started on October 14 after prosecutors charged Morales with statutory rape for his alleged relationship with a 15-year-old woman whereas in workplace.
He denies the fees and says they had been introduced by the Arce authorities to stop him from returning to politics.
The 65-year-old indigenous chief has not commented on the most recent courtroom choice, however says he’s eligible to run and that the Arce authorities is obstructing his candidacy.
Bolivia will maintain its subsequent presidential elections in August 2025.
Printed – Nov 09, 2024 03:48 pm IST
