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BOLIVIA-POLITICS-VOTE
Bolivia interm leader Anez to run in presidential election
LA PAZ, Jan 25, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – Bolivia’s Interim President Jeanine Anez on
Friday said she would stand in the May 3 presidential election, which comes
after the resignation of Evo Morales in November.
“I have made the decision to stand as a candidate in the national
elections,” Anez said in a speech.
A little-known senator, Anez assumed the presidency on November 12, two
days after Morales resigned following three weeks of sometimes violent
protests against his controversial re-election in a poll the Organization of
American States said was rigged.
“I had not planned to participate in this election,” Anez said, explaining
that she had finally decided to stand due to the lack of unity among the
opposition to Morales’ Movement for Socialism (MAS) party, which is leading
the polls.
However, the polls were carried out before economist Luis Arce announced
he will stand in the election, backed by the MAS.
“The dispersion of votes and candidacies led me to make this decision,”
said Anez.
According to a poll published in early January by the Pagina Siete
newspaper, the MAS leads voting intentions with 20.7 percent, followed by
Anez — who was not yet a candidate — with 15.6 percent and centrist
candidate and former president Carlos Mesa on 13.8 percent.
BSS/AFP/MSY/1523 hrs