Telesur has a solid analysis of Evo Morales' failure to win the ability to run for another term, much of it based on an interview with Kathryn Ledebur, director of the Andean Information Network. The next presidential election won't be until 2019, so there is time for him and the MAS party to develop a long-term plan. It's better for Bolivian democracy (and the party itself) not to do so based on an individual.
In recent months, South
America’s right-wing won electoral victories in Argentina and Venezuela,
prompting Latin America’s leftist movement at large, including Evo
Morales, to call for reflection on the socialist project. Bolivia’s No
result could similarly present an opportunity for MAS to think seriously about
the direction of the party and how to pass the torch to the next leader while
deepening support for the legacy of Morales’ policies.
In recent months, South America’s right-wing won electoral victories in Argentina and Venezuela, prompting Latin America’s leftist movement at large, including Evo Morales, to call for reflection on the socialist project. Bolivia’s No result could similarly present an opportunity for MAS to think seriously about the direction of the party and how to pass the torch to the next leader while deepening support for the legacy of Morales’ policies.
For the time being, the fact that Morales cannot seek re-election remains the only certainty. How Bolivia’s ruling left-wing and opposition groups rise to the electoral and other political challenges at hand and shape the country’s political future remains to be seen.
This content was originally published by teleSUR at the following address:
"http://www.telesurtv.net/english/analysis/Evo-Morales-Wont-Run-in-2019-But-MAS-Will-Continue-Fighting-20160221-0027.html". If you intend to use it, please cite the source and provide a link to the original article. www.teleSURtv.net/englishIn recent months, South America’s right-wing won electoral victories in Argentina and Venezuela, prompting Latin America’s leftist movement at large, including Evo Morales, to call for reflection on the socialist project. Bolivia’s No result could similarly present an opportunity for MAS to think seriously about the direction of the party and how to pass the torch to the next leader while deepening support for the legacy of Morales’ policies.
For the time being, the fact that Morales cannot seek re-election remains the only certainty. How Bolivia’s ruling left-wing and opposition groups rise to the electoral and other political challenges at hand and shape the country’s political future remains to be seen.
This content was originally published by teleSUR at the following address:
"http://www.telesurtv.net/english/analysis/Evo-Morales-Wont-Run-in-2019-But-MAS-Will-Continue-Fighting-20160221-0027.html". If you intend to use it, please cite the source and provide a link to the original article. www.teleSURtv.net/english
n recent months, South America’s right-wing won electoral victories in Argentina and Venezuela, prompting Latin America’s leftist movement at large, including Evo Morales, to call for reflection on the socialist project. Bolivia’s No result could similarly present an opportunity for MAS to think seriously about the direction of the party and how to pass the torch to the next leader while deepening support for the legacy of Morales’ policies.
For the time being, the fact that Morales cannot seek re-election remains the only certainty. How Bolivia’s ruling left-wing and opposition groups rise to the electoral and other political challenges at hand and shape the country’s political future remains to be seen.
This content was originally published by teleSUR at the following address:
"http://www.telesurtv.net/english/analysis/Evo-Morales-Wont-Run-in-2019-But-MAS-Will-Continue-Fighting-20160221-0027.html". If you intend to use it, please cite the source and provide a link to the original article. www.teleSURtv.net/english
In recent months, South America’s right-wing won electoral victories in Argentina and Venezuela, prompting Latin America’s leftist movement at large, including Evo Morales, to call for reflection on the socialist project. Bolivia’s No result could similarly present an opportunity for MAS to think seriously about the direction of the party and how to pass the torch to the next leader while deepening support for the legacy of Morales’ policies.
For the time being, the fact that Morales cannot seek re-election remains the only certainty. How Bolivia’s ruling left-wing and opposition groups rise to the electoral and other political challenges at hand and shape the country’s political future remains to be seen.
This content was originally published by teleSUR at the following address:
"http://www.telesurtv.net/english/analysis/Evo-Morales-Wont-Run-in-2019-But-MAS-Will-Continue-Fighting-20160221-0027.html". If you intend to use it, please cite the source and provide a link to the original article. www.teleSURtv.net/english
In recent months, South America’s right-wing won electoral victories in Argentina and Venezuela, prompting Latin America’s leftist movement at large, including Evo Morales, to call for reflection on the socialist project. Bolivia’s No result could similarly present an opportunity for MAS to think seriously about the direction of the party and how to pass the torch to the next leader while deepening support for the legacy of Morales’ policies.
For the time being, the fact that Morales cannot seek re-election remains the only certainty. How Bolivia’s ruling left-wing and opposition groups rise to the electoral and other political challenges at hand and shape the country’s political future remains to be seen.
This content was originally published by teleSUR at the following address:
"http://www.telesurtv.net/english/analysis/Evo-Morales-Wont-Run-in-2019-But-MAS-Will-Continue-Fighting-20160221-0027.html". If you intend to use it, please cite the source and provide a link to the original article. www.teleSURtv.net/english
n recent months, South America’s right-wing won electoral victories in Argentina and Venezuela, prompting Latin America’s leftist movement at large, including Evo Morales, to call for reflection on the socialist project. Bolivia’s No result could similarly present an opportunity for MAS to think seriously about the direction of the party and how to pass the torch to the next leader while deepening support for the legacy of Morales’ policies.
For the time being, the fact that Morales cannot seek re-election remains the only certainty. How Bolivia’s ruling left-wing and opposition groups rise to the electoral and other political challenges at hand and shape the country’s political future remains to be seen.
This content was originally published by teleSUR at the following address:
"http://www.telesurtv.net/english/analysis/Evo-Morales-Wont-Run-in-2019-But-MAS-Will-Continue-Fighting-20160221-0027.html". If you intend to use it, please cite the source and provide a link to the original article. www.teleSURtv.net/english
This follows on
Miguel Centellas' great analysis at Latin America Goes Global on the future of the MAS.
Again, one should be skeptical about reading too much into municipal-level analysis. But these data suggest an interesting problem on the horizon for Morales and his MAS party. The evidence suggests a significant drop in support among Aymara communities in the span between the 2009/2010 and 2014/2015 elections. The drop is particularly surprising given the government’s emphasis on Aymara symbolism (for example, with the elaborate presidential inaugural ceremonies held at Tiahuanaco). These results also show that there may not be link between support for MAS and inequality, indicating that the MAS’s class-based political agenda and rhetoric may produce diminishing returns, especially as socioeconomic differences become less salient. At the same time, in recent years, Evo Morales and his MAS party have expanded their support within the middle classes, offsetting declining support among the indigenous and poor.
In other words, the MAS needs to work for continued support, and that will be even more pronounced as its charismatic leader is required to step aside.
So the MAS has time, and there is no crisis, but the process of creating a strong institutional base needs to start immediately.
In recent months, South America’s right-wing won electoral victories in Argentina and Venezuela, prompting Latin America’s leftist movement at large, including Evo Morales, to call for reflection on the socialist project. Bolivia’s No result could similarly present an opportunity for MAS to think seriously about the direction of the party and how to pass the torch to the next leader while deepening support for the legacy of Morales’ policies.
For the time being, the fact that Morales cannot seek re-election remains the only certainty. How Bolivia’s ruling left-wing and opposition groups rise to the electoral and other political challenges at hand and shape the country’s political future remains to be seen.
This content was originally published by teleSUR at the following address:
"http://www.telesurtv.net/english/analysis/Evo-Morales-Wont-Run-in-2019-But-MAS-Will-Continue-Fighting-20160221-0027.html". If you intend to use it, please cite the source and provide a link to the original article. www.teleSURtv.net/english
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