OPPOSITION GOALS FOR THE CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 LA PAZ 001775

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR WHA/AND L.PETRONI

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/17/2016
TAGS: ECON PGOV PREL BL
SUBJECT: OPPOSITION GOALS FOR THE CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY


Classified By: Amb. David N. Greenlee for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) Summary: The two leading opposition political
parties, Podemos and the National Unity (UN) party, have had
little success in educating voters about their respective
campaign platforms. While Podemos has a solid plan for the
Constituent Assembly, its repeated criticism of Venezuelan
interference has overshadowed its plan and polarized voters.
As in December, the UN has attempted to paint itself as the
centrist alternative to the leftist Movement Toward Socialism
(MAS) and the right-leaning Podemos, but its central theme of
job creation leads many to wonder if the UN understands the
point of the Constituent Assembly. It seems obvious that the
opposition should work together to slow MAS momentum, but
even after their spectacular December defeat, they have not
learned that they can achieve more together than separately.
End summary.


2. (C) The two leading opposition political parties, Podemos
and the National Unity (UN) party, have had little success in
educating voters about their respective campaign platforms.
With just days left of the official campaign, voter apathy
remains high. Bolivians are not familiar with candidates in
their districts, the parties' platforms, or even the general
purpose of the Constituent Assembly.


3. (C) While Podemos has a solid campaign platform for the
Assembly, its repeated criticism of Venezuelan interference
has overshadowed its plan and polarized the electorate. The
main pillars of the Podemos campaign are autonomy and
decentralization; a new political model shifting power to the
people; a new, state-directed economic model which
incorporates social justice; de-politicization of the justice
system; and equality/non-discrimination. Podemos proposes
several important political changes within this framework,
such as creating a council (comprised of judges, civil
society, and Congress) to select judges instead of Congress,
and moving toward a parliamentary system in which the "Chief
of Cabinet" (designated by the president and ratified by
Congress) would coordinate relations between the two branches
of government. Podemos also advocates creating mechanisms to
remove the president and dissolve Congress in favor of new
general elections. Finally, Podemos proposes changing the
current composition of the lower house from 130 deputies (70
uninominal, 60 plurinominal) to 100 deputies chosen by
district.


4. (C) Instead of campaigning on its platform, Podemos has
made Venezuelan interference the central theme of this
electoral contest. Podemos candidates have highlighted
Chavez's involvement in the MAS campaign, the Assembly, the
GOB's program to issue identity documents to Bolivians,
hydrocarbons and Bolivia's foreign relations. Podemos leader
Jorge "Tuto" Quiroga has also criticized the MAS for its use
of state resources to campaign and for inciting conflict.
While some applaud Podemos' efforts to bring Venezuela's
activities in Bolivia to voters' attention, Quiroga's
repeated criticism of Chavez and Venezuelan aid has polarized
voters, as most Bolivians view such assistance in a highly
positive light.


5. (C) The UN, in turn, has attempted to paint itself as the
centrist alternative to the leftist Movement Toward Socialism
(MAS) and the right-leaning Podemos, as it did in December.
Its central theme of job creation, however, leads many to
wonder if the UN understands that the point of the
Constituent Assembly is to write a new constitution. The
UN's objectives for the Assembly are to generate prosperity
and employment; promote industrialization of natural
resources; create a new modern, protective state; eradicate
corruption; and provide justice for all. Key proposals to
support these goals include strengthening an independent
judiciary and creating a new state entity to guarantee
transparent elections and defense of the people (by
consolidating the National Electoral Court, human rights

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ombudsman, attorney general, and public ministry). The UN
also favors a plebiscite to revoke the executive's power and
call new elections within six months.


6. (C) Comment: Given the weakness of the individual
opposition parties, it seems obvious that they should work
together to slow MAS momentum. Instead, opposition parties
continue to attack each other publicly and have little, if
any, coordination. Even after their spectacular December
defeat, the opposition has not learned that it can achieve
more together than separately. End comment.
GREENLEE