Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy

During the meeting in The Hague, which was part of a “grand tour” to improve relations between Bolivia and Europe, the tense political situation frequently came up.

Since the landslide victory of the Movement towards Socialism (MAS) in the 2005 elections tensions have risen high. A major bone of contention is the newly drafted constitution, which provides in the nationalization of natural resources, major land reforms and territorial autonomy for indigenous peoples. The opposition parties, with strong support from the wealthy regions in the east, reject the draft constitution and clash with the government over its implementation.

In a lunch meeting with Mr. Choquehuanca, the vice president of the NIMD board, Mr. Jos van Gennip, stressed the importance of ongoing dialogue between government and oppositions parties in Bolivia: “The Bolivian foundation for multiparty democracy (FBDM), in which political parties and social movements like the MAS participate, has played a crucial role in facilitating this dialogue in the past and will continue to do this in the future.” In response Mr. Choquehanca acknowledged FBDM’s contribution to political dialogue in Bolivia. However, he also leaned to the view that dialogue between political parties can be no substitute for the popular vote. “It is not that we want the opposition to work for us. We want them to work for the population of Bolivia. And in the end it is the people of Bolivia who have the final say”.

Since 2002 NIMD is actively involved in supporting a peaceful political dialogue in Bolivia through its local partner FBDM.

- article by Lizzy Beekman, NIMD programme officer, representing the Christian Democrat Party CDA -