Another step to give Bolivia’s Morales chance for 4th term

The bill, which was passed earlier this week by lawmakers in the constitutional committee, required more than two-thirds of the vote to pass in the plenary.

The law, proposed to Congress by labor unions and indigenous groups that support the government, modifies Article 168 of the Bolivian constitution to allow a first term and two reelections, instead of one, as stipulated in the present document.

His first two four year terms as president do not count because they were won under a previous constitution.

The vote of the legislators, mostly members of the Movement Toward Socialism (MAS) headed by the Head of State, paves the way for a referendum that could be held next year. Milton Baron said Friday, adding that what Congress is doing is “to enable the people to speak with their votes at the polls and decide whether or not the constitutional amendment will proceed”.

Once the amendment is approved by a constitutional referendum scheduled on February 21, 2016, Morales will be able to stand in the 2019 elections for the 2020-2025 presidency. The current constitution was approved in 2009.

Morales, who came to power in 2006 and whose approval rating is above 60 percent, argues he would happily give up office but says his supporters are pushing for him to stay. While much of the region slips into recession, Bolivia’s economic growth has remained sturdy. Last year, Bolivia’s economy grew 5.4%.

Government opponents say the planned reform is the latest attempt by Mr. Morales to consolidate power and undermine democracy.

“It is the most democratic thing to submit it to the people”, Mr. Morales said.