PrintAfter an intense weekend of protests, a daylong strike throughout the country in protest of the actions taken by the Constitutional Assembly remained mostly calm on November 28. However, changes made by the congress, without the presence of the opposition, will likely inspire a new round of protests.
The congress approved a new benefit for the elderly, partially at the expense of departmental governments, as well as the possibility of a change in location for the constitutional assembly if it is unable to convene in Sucre. While the protests are mostly peaceful at the moment, Bolivia is in a tense period where a spirit of compromise and the inclusion of all voices are necessary to avoid further conflict.
Partial strikes in six departments occur with only limited conflict
Six departments partially complied with a one day work stoppage called by regional government and business leaders on November 28. The purpose of the strike was to show discontent with the way MAS assembly members approved a draft constitution without the opposition present on November 24 in Sucre.
Some violence occurred in Santa Cruz as members of the militant Santa Cruz Youth Union attacked market stalls in an attempt to force vendors to comply with the strike. In other regions, MAS supporters and opposition prefect supporters clashed, but no serious injuries have been reported. In Cochabamba, many businesses, including the opposition-owned Burger King and the Tennis Club, remained open despite blockades in the center of the city.
Congress approves legislation in the absence of opposition members
Both houses of congress met together in a late night session on November 27, without most of the opposition, and made two important decisions. First, the legislature endorsed the Renta Dignidad, a monthly pension for Bolivians over sixty, and the redistribution of resources from oil and gas revenues from departmental to central governments to pay for it. Congress also modified the law convoking the constitutional assembly, allowing its president to hold sessions in other locations if it is not possible to meet in Sucre.
The opposition boycott did not impede voting because MAS has a majority in the Chamber of Deputies, the lower house, and obtained a quorum in the Senate with votes from two alternate senators from opposition parties.[1] These decisions further angered the opposition, who complained to the media that MAS supporters blocked their entrance to the session. Jorge Quiroga, leader of the opposition party Podemos, stated, “If there is no state, if there is no security, if there is no democracy for the Parliament in the Plaza Murillo, then what can we hope for in other parts of Bolivia?”[2]
Benefit for the elderly cuts into departmental budgets
The new Renta Dignidad provides a benefit of about 26 dollars per month to all Bolivians over the age of sixty. This benefit replaces the underfunded Bono Solidario and will provide assistance to 676,000 people. The Renta Dignidad requires an annual investment of 215 million dollars, most of which will come from a redistribution of the Direct Hydrocarbons Tax (IDH).
While nearly all authorities recognize the need for this benefit, opposition governors contest the legality of paying for it by a redistribution of the IDH, which will result in a cut to their budgets. They view this move as an attempt by President Morales to stem growing departmental power more than as a way to help the elderly. Morales officials counter that departments receive a disproportional share of oil and gas revenues and do not invest them responsibly.
Congress allows change of assembly location
The original law convoking the constitutional assembly states that the assembly will meet i
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