http://stopthedrugwar.org/chronicle/410/bolivia.shtml

The December 4 election that could put a left-leaning coca grower leader in the Bolivian presidency will now take place December 18. For a few days this week, it appeared as if it might not take place at all, as the Bolivian Congress failed to act on a constitutional court order to redistrict congressional seats. But with front-runner Evo Morales, coca leader turned head of the Movement to Socialism (MAS) party, complaining of a conspiracy to thwart the election, and rising rumblings of political and social discontent, interim President Eduardo Rodriguez Tuesday night resolved the conflict by decree, setting the elections for two weeks after their original date.

"It is extremely difficult to reach an agreement that satisfies all the regions," Rodriguez said in a televised address Tuesday evening, "but Bolivian democracy is in danger if we don't hold elections."

The looming electoral crisis came to a head last Friday, when the National Electoral Court suspended the December 4 elections, saying Congress had not delivered to it a redistricting plan. By Tuesday, Morales was telling the foreign press that neoliberal politicians, entrepreneurs, and "an embassy" were trying to thwart the election because the MAS was leading in the polls.

But President Rodriguez, who had earlier threatened to step down in January whether elections were held or not, thus potentially precipitating a power vacuum, acted unilaterally Tuesday to end the crisis. Rodriguez came to the presidency in June, after massive protests forced the resignation of President Carlos Mesa in June. Mesa had succeeded Jaime Sanchez de Lozada, who himself was forced from office in bloody protests.

While the plight of Bolivian coca growers has not been a major issue in recent disturbances, it continues to fester behind the scenes. Bolivia is the world's third largest coca producer, behind Colombia and Peru, with production increasing 17% last year, according to the United Nations. Some coca production is legal in Bolivia, but under heavy pressure from the US government, successive Bolivian governments have attempted to limit legal production and wipe out excess coca. Now they may get a coca grower in the presidency for their efforts.

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