Latin America

Bolivia: Perpetual Evo?

For ten years ruled by Evo Morales of Bolivia. His current term in office ends in 2020. Now, the people allow him, even longer to office. But his support is crumbling.

A long time belonged to Bolivia’s Evo Morales to the most popular President in Latin America. In the last Generalwahlen 2014 had his “movement towards socialism” MAS (“Movimientos al Socialismo”) for the second Time, more than 60 percent of the votes.

On Sunday (21.02.2016) should the Bolivians in a Referendum to decide whether Morales a second Time to stand as a candidate. A year ago, it looked as if you were its President, to meet this request. But Morales has in the last few months feathers left.

In Regional and local elections have MAS candidates for important Offices to the Opposition, lost. It must also Morales feared that he more followers to lose, because the start of the economic downturn could be up to 2017 to a crisis to expand. His supporters are also, therefore, become less, because more and more of them to see that Evo Morales is neither policy for all Bolivians still for all Indigenous power.

The voice of the Downtrodden

Exactly this promise, however, was the leader of the Kokabauern Union in 2005 “, the first indigenous President of Latin America” has become. Had Morales stylized, although it is already in front of him President of the Republic with indigenous ancestors were – also in Bolivia. Also fit his cultural Background, not really in this picture: Neither he grew up in an indigenous community, yet he speaks an indigenous language.

However, the message is: Evo is a man in the midst of the oppressed people of the native peoples. He did well to she deserves to be made, says German aid worker Anne Weiss on Morales ‘ success: “He has these people a voice.”

The cult of Morales’ roots has given him a lot of followers brings. Here, he speaks no indigenous language

Anne White has nearly 30 years in social projects in Bolivia are cared for. Actually is quite different. But she wants her real name not be published because she fears that the work of your organization to suffer.

Corruption and oppression

That alone says a lot about how Morales and his MAS try, its Power to consolidate reports piling up, after which critics and members of the opposition to be threatened. Who is the Regime, in contrast, is based, should be to reward hope, say observers.

The youngest Korruptionsvorwurf hits the President himself, and a week before the Referendum: It is said that Morales would have the Chinese company CAMCE orders worth around 500 million euros zugeschustert. In whose Board of Directors sits his Ex-wife.

Such allegations may be carefully scattered. But Morales has you covered: “A majority of the media in Bolivia controlled by the government. The few independent media undergo self-censorship to avoid problems,” writes the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) in your “country report Bolivia”.

Reckless financing of the welfare state

So often the media the image of the erdverbundenen Indigenous also repeat more and more Bolivians is clear that something is not right. Because the cases in which the government, rights of indigenous communities, with feet, piling up.

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Especially when it comes to the exploitation of raw materials such as natural gas and ore, the nationalized funding entrepreneurs do not bow to the habitats of indigenous communities. To important are the revenues, because from them comes a large portion of the money, with the MAS as their social benefits are financed.

Economic turmoil in sight

Like a long time but still goes well, is due to the falling prices of raw materials questionable. Because instead of the Boom of the past years in order to leverage sustainable structures, or at least reserves for worse times to build, has Morales, consumption, fueled, and thus the growth of bloated. In Venezuela and Brazil, it is clear to see where that leads.

Also for Bolivia, say Economists an early downturn in the previously booming economy. The private sector will have difficulties, because the state minimum wage leaves company little margin to Nachfrageverluste to compensate. “Even now, small businesses close, because the last increase in the minimum wage could carry no more”, says a development worker Know.

Good will goes to the reality

Know can many, many examples, in which perhaps good will is, but on reality: All teachers in Bolivia are supposed to Quechua or Aymara to learn. But what have the Guaraní of it? In Bolivia there are more than 30 indigenous languages.

Environmental damage caused by petroleum-promotion: For years to defend Bolivian Guaraní in vain against the exploitation

A school that Anne Weiss’ organization operates, may soon have to close, if it is not possible, the class size from the present 50 to 60 students to a maximum of 30 to reduce. “Of course that would be desirable, but we have neither the rooms nor the staff, in order to afford them.” For the children, would the closing mean that you no longer have to go to school, says Weiss: “On the road, there are drug gangs, the many children the most attractive prospects.”

Last Chance for Morales

If Evo Morales 2019 at all would create, once again, the presidential election is to win, is more than uncertain. Although to him the Venezuelan government in 2013 demonstrated how we can, in spite of disastrous economic policies, a majority at the election polls. But to 2019 can be much more done.

Now it’s only once a matter of whether Morales ever again stand as a candidate. The Länderanalysten of the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS) will hold the time for cheap: Still, the economy is strong enough and just have the employees a double Bonus to receive, the mandatory part of the minimum wage. Also, it has the government even when enemies sympathies are brought in, that the neighbours Chile using the Hague court back to the negotiating table forced: For more than 100 years, argues that landlocked Bolivia access to the Pacific ocean, on Chilean soil. If it is sufficient and Morales are attributed to the will, shows up on Sunday.