Most Bolivian parties agree to suspend primary elections

Former Bolivian President Evo Morales (center), July 10, 2024. Photo: X/ @vision360_bo

July 11, 2024 Hour: 11:16 am

MAS President Evo Morales was present at the multi-party meeting but left without signing the final declaration.

In a meeting convened by the Supreme Electoral Court (TSE), Bolivian political parties decided on Wednesday to ask the Legislative Assembly to approve a law suspending their primaries before the 2025 presidential elections.

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Instead of holding primaries, most political organizations participating in the Inter-Institutional Multiparty Meeting for Democracy plan to use this opportunity to elect their new directors and presidential candidates through judicial procedures.

Former Bolivian President Evo Morales was present at the multiparty meeting but left without signing the final declaration approved by a dozen opposition parties, including the “Citizens’ Community” led by former President Carlos Mesa and “We Believe” of the suspended governor of Santa Cruz, Luis Camacho.

As leader of the Movement Toward Socialism (MAS), Morales said he would sign the multiparty declaration if the TSE recognized the congress that re-elected him as MAS leader or if the demand for a change of leadership was lifted. He also mentioned that a MAS delegate would hold a meeting with TSE President Oscar Hassenteufel on Thursday.

“If this matter is resolved tomorrow, I will personally sign the agreement. Otherwise, we will defend the primaries on the streets and on the roads, because it is important to respect internal primaries,” said the MAS chairman.

In October 2023, Morales’ supporters held a congress in the Tropic of Cochabamba, where they confirmed him as MAS leader and presidential candidate. However, a month later, electoral authorities did not recognize their congress and asked the Socialist Party to convene a new assembly to name its representatives.

In May, organizations supporting Bolivian President Luis Arce called for another MAS congress to appoint a new leadership, but this call was also rejected by electoral authorities.

As a result, the 2017 MAS leadership under Morales remains valid for the Supreme Electoral Court. However, the Movement toward Socialism’s participation in the 2025 presidential elections depends on the renewal of its national leadership.

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