Evo Morales defies critics by running for a third presidential term

Two-term Bolivian President Evo Morales has confirmed that he will seek re-election in the country’s October election. The 54-year old leftist politician and former coca farmer will aim to complete and cement his legacy of expanded social programs during a third-term in office, despite constitutional objections by some.

And while the Bolivian economy has experienced unprecedented growth under his leadership, Morales remains a highly polarizing figure as his supporters extol him for his commitment to the marginalized, while critics accuse him of employing an autocratic style of rule in order to bring about his reforms.

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President Morales’s bid for re-election was confirmed this month as Concepcion Ortiz—the current vice-president of the ruling Movement Towards Socialism (MAS) party— publicly announced that both Morales and her will be on the October ticket. The pronouncement has been met with particular criticism by Morales’ critics who have denounced the unconstitutional basis of Morales’ potential third term.

As Daniel Ramos of Reuters explains, “Morales critics accuse the leftist politician of defying the constitution, which allows a president two consecutive terms in office. Morales was first elected in 2006 and then again in 2009. The constitutional term limit was adopted in 2009. Last year the Supreme Court decreed his 2006-09 period in office should not be counted as a first term as it preceded the adoption of the constitution. The opposition called the ruling unacceptable.”

On the other hand of the political spectrum, however, the incumbent’s supporters have lauded both his economic and social achievements over the course of his eight-year tenure. While Bolivia is typically categorized as one of South America’s poorest and most volatile nations, the Andean country has experienced significant improvements under Morales.

As Ramos goes on to report, “Historically one of South America’s most unstable countries, Bolivia has enjoyed relative prosperity and calm since Morales came to power. Gross domestic product per capita doubled between 2005 and 2011.”

Specifically, he says, “…the vote comes a year after the roughly $30bn economy grew 6.5%, its quickest pace in nearly 30 years, boosted by high prices for natural gas sold to Argentina and Brazil.”

While growth is expected to slow slightly next year—partly due to the recent default in neighboring Argentina, which is one of the country’s main trading partners— future prospects are significantly more optimistic now than when Morales first took office in 2006. If re-elected, Morales has announced that he will seek to coalesce all the major political, economic, and social reforms which he has instituted so far into one comprehensive reform package known as “United we live well.”

As for now, President Evo Morales’s odds are exceedingly promising with the most recent round of polls placing him as a 30-point favorite with approximately 44 percent of the votes. Hence, barring a major turn of events, the ruling MAS party—under Morales’ tutelage— appears likely to win a third consecutive term in office.

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