By Roxana Paniagua Humor
No one can deny the unquestionable triumph of Evo Morales Aima (54% of votes, an absolute majority) to presidency of Bolivia. Elections, on 18 December 2005, the victory of the Aymara-Quechua Indian left speechless right. How is it that polling firms to be so deceived? They predicted that Evo Morales was elected with a simple majority, suggesting that the election of new president would be in parliament following the tradition of emoluments established by the traditional parties (MNR, AND, NFR). Miscalculation, because during the last two years and especially since the "gas war" (war against the export of gas) octobre2003, the political class has lost confidence Boliviens.L election of the Movement Toward Socialism (MAS) Evo Morales Aima is unique because no president had ever been elected with absolute majority. An Indian
the presidency ...?
But how does one explain this change? The neo-liberal policies of recent decades have increased the gap between rich and poor. Two thirds of the Bolivian population living on 1 dollar a day.The equivalent of U.S. $ 360 per year. The majority of Bolivians living endessous threshold of poverty are Indians. In fact, the history of Bolivia is full of injustices committed against the majority Indian country. However, this population during the last 25 years of democracy, supported the traditional parties without, however, see changes in their precarious situation. It was during these two decades that indigenous movements have emerged forcefully, sometimes organized into farmers' union or federation of growers of coca leaf in Chapare. Experience in the trade union as well as grassroots organizations, peasants and indigenous people has led a recent ELECTION Indian power. The overwhelming vote (54%) of the population in Bolivia is the result of a convergence policy whose highest point is the election of Evo Morales. In this sense, social organizations and indigenous have a concrete political project, despite their differences, which must be taken into account by Evo Morales and his party, the MAS (Movement Toward lesocialisme). This political project is based on the election of a President of India and especially on the concrete democratization of the country, including one of the conditions is the control of natural resources by the state. However, the sine qua non for political stability based on respect for promises made by Evo Morales to the social movements who had rebelled and overthrew the previous government: the nationalization of hydrocarbons and the convening of a Constituent Assembly. It would give access a "participatory" democracy with emphasis on decision-making by the popular movement. That is why the political agenda of MAS must consider applications from all sectors of the population. Otherwise, DSS risks the same fate as previous governments. Moreover, if the DSS is to create a climate of political stability, it must institute mechanisms for implementation of social and economic programs that he mentioned during his campaign. Situational allies, the Bolivian Workers Central (COB), the Federation of Peasants of Bolivia and the citizens of El Alto, it has already given 90 days to resolve the problems related to natural resources (gas nationalization in particular). Otherwise, if the outcome is not achieved, social peace could break at any time.
But beyond the political project of the MAS, the sense that indigenous people have given this election is crucial.Plusieurs indigenous intellectuals have said that the "end ducolonialisme happened." Even the dissenting voices within the indigenous movement agreed on this point. Felipe Quispe, leader of the Pachakutik Indian Movement, said "the election of Morales will radically change the manner of governing" Bolivia. For thousands of Indian, Evo Morales is a hope in a country where racism larval confined to the Indian political exclusion, economic and social development. Thus, the new president's first speech to his supporters argued that "Bolivia and the indigenous will enter a new era" that will end the racism and corruption. This election day, radio Erbol a native of the city of El Alto, La Paz, said, "In Evo, I put all my hopes, injustice must end ... We have the right to live a life like others. " Confirming this desire, Morales claimed that he did not disappoint with his brothers and sisters, "... in this overwhelming vote, the people who spoke. We had the support and strength of this people who wants to live with justice ... That is not Evo Morales will be the government, you will tous.Le indigenous movement will not be excluded, it will now include ... Apartis we will finish with contempt and xenophobia, "he said.
The massive vote in favor of MAS is also the result of ras-le-bol of the middle class and some middle-class, tired of corruption and traditional politicians. The MAS, however, inherits a situation of political and social crisis and here is his biggest challenge. Is what we will continue the "culture of dialogue specific to Indigenous-like Evo Morales said, to govern? It depends on which side the balance, because the MAS has made many promises with both elites linked to oil interests and divisive groups in Santa Cruz with the popular movement. For now, the MAS appears to lean in favor of his political base (indigenous, peasants, workers, intellectuals, artists, etc..) But it will not be easy to deal with all these sectors.
A single process or ancient history ...
Despite draconian policies they have suffered economically and deteriorating social climate, Bolivians, far from being discouraged have known for the past 25 years organized. The indigenous and popular movement began a long struggle that allowed him to shake up the power. The election of Evo Morales, the first Indian to power, first guess in the words of Vice President-elect Alvaro Garcia Linera 'presence in the Indian administrative bodies, ministries, parliament .... " But it does not necessarily mean a drastic change in the status quo by Ivan Ignacio representative in Canada Council of Andean Nations Coming. According to him, "Evo Morales will 'neutralize' the radical forces of the country, such as movements in El Alto. From cefait must constantly monitor the process, he said. It n'enreste not least, it is a historical process unprecedented because there "was a unit around the election, but it may break at any moment, he said. Second, it is true, there will be a presence of Indians in the administration and decision-making, this will significantly change the social and political relations. However, the fact that the government is composed mainly by indigenous does not necessarily imply a radical change of policy actuelles.Le MAS will be difficult to establish a program to a "change of neo-liberal policies which have fought for social movements, has Stresses in this sense, the American scholar, James Petras (Argenpress, January 9, 2006). Natives say they will monitor the process and we will not betray them again. For now the victory of Evo Morales seems to have a truce in the country.
Besides, the new government's relations with neighboring countries and especially with the United States can be crucial for the country. Several countries have been quick to welcome the arrival of Evo Morales to power. However, the United States "monitor" the process and make a decision based on "the evolution of the democratic process" and depending on the compliance of Evo Morales towards the eradication of coca leaf . For now, Evo Morales in his international tour (Cuba, Venezuela, Spain, France, China, South Africa) said he is willing to sit with the United States and Atiss relations based on "Respect du pays" at-il dit. Reste à voir les Etats-Unis if auront la même attitude.
