AMERICA/BOLIVIA - Bolivians to vote for the referendum that amends the duration of the presidential term

Wednesday, 17 February 2016 politics democracy bishops

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La Paz (Agenzia Fides) - Next Sunday, February 21, Bolivians will vote for the referendum on the reform of Article 168 of the Constitution of the Plurinational State of Bolivia, regarding the Presidential and Vice-Presidential term of office (five years) and the possibility of re-election. If the result of the referendum is in favor, re-election will take place twice, following the term. So, President Evo Morales could have a new term 2020-2025.
According to the Electoral Office, Bolivians over 18 years of age living in the country can participate in the referendum and Bolivians living in 73 cities of 33 foreign countries in which the Bolivian State has a consular office.
After the municipal and regional elections on 29 March 2015, the "Movimiento al Socialismo" (MAS) of President Evo Morales managed to remain as the first political force in the country, but lost several of its traditional bastions, especially El Alto, where he had won since 2002 (see Fides 01/04/2015).
"As Catholic Church, we affirm that alternation is always an expression of democracy" had stated the national Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies and Secretary of the Bishops' Conference of Bolivia, His Exc. Mgr. Eugenio Scarpellini, Bishop of El Alto, just after that the ruling party had announced to candidate Evo Morales again for the fourth time. (see Fides 17/09/2015). (CE) (Agenzia Fides, 17/02/2016)