Bolivia's regional elections

Abstract

Following closely the national elections of December 2009, Bolivia’s regional elections of April 2010 determined two outcomes: On the one hand, they decided the size and strength of the opposition towards current president Evo Morales and his political organization, Movement towards Socialism (MAS). On the other hand, they decided the distribution of power during the implementation of the country’s new constitution. This will establish, amongst other issues, the level of regional, municipal, as well as indigenous autonomy. Here, the plans of the indigenous‐based MAS face opposition from the relatively affluent and mainly white and mixed‐race region in the eastern lowlands of the country. The election results indicate that the MAS maintained widespread support among Bolivians. It secured the majority of departments and municipalities, yet had to record some losses at the local level. The right‐wing opposition won in the departments of the eastern lowlands, which indicates a deepening regional cleavage.