Posted by: zanshin, 2009-04-13 03:37

Story

Bolivian president vows to continue hunger strike until electoral law passes
2009-04-13 (Monday), People's Daily Online
Bolivian President Evo Morales on Sunday pledged to continue his hunger strike until the congress passes a new electoral law.

Morales announced his decision in an address to the nation, which was televised by a state-run station.

He started fasting last Thursday in the government palace as a response after the opposition lawmakers walked out of the Congress earlier the day during a debate on the electoral law.

The opposition rejected the law because it would give 14 places in the Congress to minority indigenous groups.

However, those changes were included in the new Constitution, approved by people's referendum with more than 60 percent of the votes in January.

The new constitution 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.

Although Morales' ruling government controls the presidency and holds a firm grip on the lower house, opposition lawmakers holds a majority in the Senate, allowing his opponents to block the proposal.

The opposition claimed that the bill would benefit Morales's reelection bid as it would give more seats to minority indigenous groups, among whom Morales enjoys remarkable popularity.

Since he started his strike, Morales has been supported by some20 leaders of labor, peasant and regional organizations. More than1,000 other people have also joined the strike across the country.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez also voiced support for his move when Chavez called Morales on Sunday.

Chavez told Morales "Go ahead, we are with you. This is the same fight for the Latin American peoples."

The telephone conversation was broadcast live on Venezuelan Local TV chain Telesur.

On Friday, the President of the UN General Assembly Miguel D'Escoto Brockmann called the international community to support Morales.

Meanwhile, former Cuban leader Fidel Castro said in a newspaper article that he has "no doubt at all that Evo (Morales) will be successful" in his hunger strike.

Morales was elected in December 2005, and took office in January 2006 with a five-year term. Opponents of Morales claim his move 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. Recent polls showed that he would far lead his closest rivals if a presidential race was held now.

Source:Xinhua
Copyright by People's Daily Online

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