 ORURO, Bolivia - A majority in BoliviaÂ’s Constituent Assembly, packed with supporters of leftist President Evo Morales, Sunday approved a new constitution that would broaden presidential powers.
| Because that's what has held Bolivia back all these years, presidents with narrow powers. |
| "We need a president with more powers. We need somebody to tell us what to do." |
‘The text of the new constitution is approved,’ a representative of the socialist MAS party, Carlos Romero, told AFP. The approval came after a marathon 15-hour session and with the backing of allied minor parties.
The new constitution would give Morales more power, including over natural resources following his nationalization of BoliviaÂ’s oil and gas industry last year.
| Heading down the same road as Venezuela, with likely the same results. |
| First principle of politix: Money is power. It doesn't matter if it's your money, as long as it's your power. |
The run-up to the vote was bloody, with at least three killed in clashes between protesters and police. Six wealthy provinces held massive strikes as opponents feared the reforms would usher in a leftist regime similar to the one of MoralesÂ’ friend and ally in Venezuela, President Hugo Chavez. |