Evo Morales Resigns from MAS, Seeks Presidency with Front for Victory

Evo Morales has resigned from the ruling MAS party, indicating a definitive split with President Luis Arce. He is now running for president with the Front for Victory in the upcoming elections. Morales’s resignation stems from disputes over government principles, and he has rallied support from his loyalists amid allegations against him and ongoing party tensions.

Cochabamba, Bolivia (EFE) – Former President Evo Morales has officially resigned from the ruling Movement Towards Socialism (MAS) party, presenting his resignation through legal representatives at the Electoral Tribunal (TSE). This departure follows his significant conflict with President Luis Arce over governance and party leadership issues. Morales, who presided over MAS for over thirty years, is now seeking the presidency with the Front for Victory (FPV), slated for the August 17 elections.

Morales’s resignation comes as a defense of the principles behind his Democratic and Cultural Revolution, which MAS has championed since 2005. Héctor Rodríguez, who facilitated Morales’ resignation to the Departmental Electoral Tribunal of Cochabamba, emphasized the need to disassociate from a “corrupted government” that has betrayed fundamental values.

Earlier this week, Morales attempted to submit his resignation through a delegate, which was initially rejected by the electoral authority, necessitating a personal submission. Nevertheless, the Tribunal later clarified a permitted alternative through a notarized power of attorney.

Since October 2024, Morales has remained in the Tropic of Cochabamba, his political base, to garner support against an arrest warrant related to serious allegations against him. Morales lost his position as MAS president in November 2024 when legislative supporters of Arce elected Grover García as the new leader, validating a congress mainly backed by pro-government factions.

In light of these developments, Morales’s loyalists have begun leaving MAS to support him, but some lawmakers close to him are choosing to stay in the party to retain their parliamentary positions. According to Tahuichi Tahuichi Quispe, a TSE member, 1,686 supporters have departed from MAS, amidst around one million registered members. Morales’s backing senator indicated that resignations may be submitted up until the eve of the general elections.

Evo Morales served as Bolivia’s president three times from 2006 to 2019, attempting to secure a fourth term in 2019. However, the elections were marred by accusations of fraud amidst claims of a coup against him, which the opposition rejects. Following Morales’s resignation and subsequent exile during the political crisis of 2019, the split within MAS deepened, reflecting ongoing tensions. Despite a constitutional ruling that limits presidency terms, Morales remains assertive about his candidacy for the upcoming elections.

Evo Morales has formally resigned from the MAS party, highlighting significant rifts within the organization and his ambition for a presidential run with the Front for Victory. Despite facing legal challenges and the complexities of Bolivia’s constitutional framework regarding re-election, Morales continues to assert his political viability, sparking further departures from MAS amid ongoing factional disputes. This split points to broader implications for Bolivia’s political landscape as the August elections approach.

Original Source: efe.com