Evo Morales has resigned from the ruling MAS party and is now running for president with the Front for Victory, following tensions with President Luis Arce. His resignation was formally submitted to the Electoral Tribunal and highlights significant disputes over governance. Amid ongoing political turmoil, Morales challenges legal restrictions on presidential terms as he seeks a fourth term in the upcoming elections.
Evo Morales, the former president of Bolivia, has announced his formal resignation from the ruling Movement Towards Socialism (MAS) party, a position he held for over thirty years. This decision was made through legal representation presented to the Electoral Tribunal on Thursday, signaling a definitive split with the party amid growing tensions with President Luis Arce regarding governance and leadership issues within MAS. Morales is now campaigning for the presidency with the Front for Victory (FPV) in the upcoming elections on August 17.
Héctor Rodríguez, who submitted Morales’ resignation, emphasized that the decision reflects a commitment to the ideals of the Democratic and Cultural Revolution that the MAS government has stood for since 2005. Rodríguez criticized the current MAS leadership for alleged corruption and betrayal of foundational principles. Although Morales initially submitted his resignation via a delegate, it was rejected by the electoral body, which stated that the resignation must be filed in person unless accompanied by a specific notarized power of attorney.
Since October 2024, Morales has remained in the Tropic of Cochabamba, his political stronghold, where he rallies support against a pending arrest warrant related to serious legal accusations. Notably, Morales ceased to serve as president of MAS in November 2024, after a pro-government congress concluded by President Arce’s supporters elected Grover García as the new leader. Following Morales’ departure, numerous MAS militants loyal to him have begun resigning from the party to support his presidential ambitions.
Despite the tumultuous political landscape, some Morales-aligned lawmakers have chosen to remain within the MAS to safeguard their parliamentary positions. According to Tahuichi Tahuichi Quispe, a member of the Electoral Tribunal, 1,686 members have departed the MAS, while supporters of Morales may continue to resign until the day before the upcoming general elections. While Morales seeks to return to the presidency for a unprecedented fourth term, a constitutional ruling in 2023 disallows indefinite reelection, permitting only two presidential terms, whether consecutive or not.
The rift within MAS deepened after the political turmoil of 2019, when Morales resigned and subsequently spent time in exile due to claims of electoral fraud and a subsequent coup. Morales asserts that he is still eligible as a presidential candidate despite the legal restrictions against continuous reelection.
Evo Morales has officially resigned from the MAS party, marking a significant rupture as he prepares to run for president with the Front for Victory. His resignation was prompted by a conflict with current President Luis Arce over corruption and governance. As the political situation evolves, Morales’ supporters continue to distance themselves from MAS, while he challenges legal boundaries on presidential terms as he seeks a return to power amid a backdrop of political instability.
Original Source: efe.com
