Bolivia's Assembly approves law to allow Morales' re-election

Bolivia's Plurinational Legislative Assembly approved a constitutional amendment on Saturday allowing current President Evo Morales and his Vice President Alvaro Garcia Linera to run for the re-election in 2019.

With about two-thirds of voters' approvals, the amendment will be submitted to the constitutional court for endorsement. After that, a constitutional referendum will take place as scheduled on Feb. 21, 2016. The referendum's campaign and organization will be finalized by the Supreme Electoral Tribune.

Once the amendment is approved by referendum, Morales will be able to stand in the 2019 elections for the 2020-2025 presidency.

However, the opposition lawmaker Norma Pierola of the Christian Democratic Party (PDC) criticized Morales for forcing the Constitution to accommodate his interests. Pierola added that there will be a strong campaign in the referendum to make sure that the "no" vote wins.

Morales has been the president of Bolivia since January 2006 and won two other re-elction in 2009 and 2014 with the absolute majority and two-thirds in the Legislative Assembly. He is the first Indian president in Bolivian history.

Source: XINHUA