LA PAZ, BOLIVIA (REUTERS) - Bolivia's interim government and lawmakers from the party of unseated leader Evo Morales appeared to have reached an accord late on Thursday (Nov 14) to hold a new presidential election, potentially helping resolve the country's political crisis.
Mr Morales resigned under pressure on Sunday after weeks of protests and violence following an Oct 20 election that awarded an outright win to him but was tarnished by widespread allegations of fraud.
In a late night Senate session, the Chamber's president, a member of Mr Morales' Movement for Socialism (MAS) party, said there was agreement between the opposition and government to hold a new election as soon as possible.
The aim was "to pacify our country and above all to defend democracy", said Ms Mónica Eva Copa Murga, who had earlier been confirmed in her role.
She called on Bolivia's security forces, which have been involved in street skirmishes with pro-Morales supporters, to treat the country's indigenous groups with respect.
"Let's get rid of colours, of radical positions. What our country is looking for right now is peace," she said.
Mr Morales, a charismatic leftist, had been in power since 2006, when he became the South American country's first indigenous president.
Interim President Jeanine Anez, who took over on Tuesday after a spate of resignations, had earlier indicated that she wanted to mend bridges with Mr Morales' party. She said, however, that Mr Morales himself would not be welcome as a candidate.
Ms Anez, 52, is trying to lead a sharply divided Bolivia that has been rocked by protests since last month's election.
Mr Morales resigned after an Organisation of American States audit found electoral irregularities and the military withdrew its backing and urged him to step down to help restore calm.
He and his vice-president, Mr Alvaro Garcia, who also resigned, have been offered asylum by Mexico.
NO FOURTH TERM
"Evo Morales does not qualify to run for a fourth term," Ms Anez, a conservative former senator, told a news conference on Thursday, adding that the country's "convulsions" were because he had run in defiance of term limits.
She said Mr Morales' MAS, which has a majority in Congress, was welcome to participate in the vote and should start looking for a candidate.
Mr Morales ran again for president despite a 2016 referendum against lifting term limits, after a court packed with loyalists gave him a green light to run indefinitely.
Mr Jerjes Justiniano, one of Ms Anez's newly-appointed ministers, earlier told reporters that the interim government was pursuing talks with MAS.
In comments aired on channel Unitel, he added that MAS had sought assurance that Mr Morales would be able to return freely to Bolivia. "There's no problem with that; it's just one citizen more."
Ms Anez did not give a specific date for the election.
Under the Constitution, she has 90 days to do so after declaring herself interim leader by invoking the constitutional line of succession earlier this week.
CONTINUING PROTESTS
Mr Morales has said he was the victim of a coup and his supporters have continued to agitate on his behalf with marches and skirmishes in the streets of La Paz and nearby El Alto.
On Thursday, thousands of his supporters marched in La Paz.
Mr Morales, tweeting from Mexico, has called for dialogue to help "pacify" Bolivia, asking the United Nations and the Roman Catholic Church to help find a solution.
The UN is sending an envoy.
Meanwhile, Ms Anez is shoring up her position. She has appointed a new military chief and Cabinet members, while MAS lawmakers seemed to have backed away from plans to try to nullify her interim appointment.
Russia, an ally for Bolivia under Mr Morales, said it would work with Ms Anez and recognise her as Bolivia's leader pending a new election.
The United States, Brazil, Colombia, Britain and Germany have also recognised Ms Anez. Other governments in South America, including neighbouring Peru and Argentina, have so far held off.
At least 10 people have been killed in the protests since last month's vote, the public prosecutor's office said, mostly by projectiles from firearms.
Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) issued a travel advisory for Bolivia on Friday (Nov 15).
The advisory noted there have been reports of widespread protests in major cities in Bolivia following the resignation of Mr Morales on Nov 10.
"As the political situation remains volatile and unpredictable, Singaporeans are advised to defer non-essential travel to Bolivia," it said.
Singaporeans currently in Bolivia are also advised to exercise caution, stay vigilant, monitor developments through local media and observe the instructions of the local authorities.
"Avoid reported locations of protests and stay indoors in a safe location. Stay in touch with your family and friends so that they know you are safe. There have been disruptions to flights and access to airports in recent weeks and therefore, you should contact your airlines for the latest information before leaving for the airport and do cater for extra travelling time as well," it added.
The advisory urged Singaporeans who are travelling to Bolivia to eRegister with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Those who require consular assistance can contact MFA's 24-hour duty office at +65 6379 8800/8855 or mfa_duty_officer@mfa.gov.sg.
