A Bolivian court has given a green light for President Evo Morales to seek a fourth term in office, which opponents say is unconstitutional. “The full chamber of the Supreme Electoral Court, by virtue of the jurisdiction and competence exercised by law,” approved nine candidates for primary elections in January, including Morales, according to the decision, which was read out at a press briefing. The decision on Tuesday night came just as opposition to Morales’s candidacy was building, with protesters marching in the capital, La Paz, last week. A general strike was called for next Thursday to oppose Morales’ re-election bid. Morales had previously accepted the results of a 2016 referendum, when 51 percent of Bolivian voters rejected his proposal to end existing term limits.
He later reversed course and said that while he would happily give up the office, his supporters were pushing for him to stay.
Last year, the country’s constitutional court lifted term limits, paving the way for Morales to run for a fourth term in 2019.
Full Article: Bolivia court allows President Morales to run for fourth term | Bolivia News | Al Jazeera.