Opposition Calls for Referendum on Bolivia’s Morales

Evo Morales, the first indigenous president of Bolivia, will face a confidence vote in the next 90 days as opposition groups continue their push to remove him from power. The vote comes on the tail of last week’s unofficial and meaningless referendum for autonomy in which the wealthy state of Santa Cruz voted for greater independence from the federal government.

The BBC:

The people of Bolivia are to hold a vote of confidence in the rule of their leftist President, Evo Morales, as he struggles to enact radical reform.

Mr Morales, who has more than two years to run as leader, agreed to hold the referendum after the opposition-run upper house of parliament backed it.

The Senate has repeatedly challenged his government.

Citizens will vote within 90 days on whether he, his vice-president and nine governors should stay in office.

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AP photo / Joao Padua

Bolivian President Evo Morales (right) and Vice President Alvaro Garcia Linera will both face a nationwide recall vote as wealthy Bolivians try to stymie Morales’ program for wealth redistribution and poverty reduction.