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Bolivia Strengthens with Constituent Victory

NU Online  ·  Selasa, 4 Juli 2006 | 05:35 WIB

La Paz, NU Online
The Bolivia government enters Monday into its consolidation phase, after the Movement towards Socialism (MAS) swept the board in the Constituent Assembly elections and in an autonomic referendum.

At a press conference, Evo Morales proclaimed the win, highlighting that in the Sunday election his organization achieved an over 60-percent support, above that of the December presidential vote (53.7).

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Morales underscored that the second MAS triumph was illustrated with the 134 seats won of the 255 of the Constituent to be installed August 6 in southern Sucre city.

Concerning the referendum over provincial autonomies, the statesman noted the whole nation voted NO, with an estimated 55 percent, considering it a third victory for his party, which promoted that position.

He recognized that four of the five provinces of the Andean country voted Yes in the plebiscite, stressing that the Constituent should respect that result and debate the autonomy demands of small jurisdictions and indigenous peoples.

Yesterday´s vote also registered important advances for the MAS in Santa Cruz and Tarija, provinces considered bastions of the opposition to date. (pl/dar)