Evo Morales election as president of Bolivia is another example of the radicalisation that is sweeping across Latin America. Coca farmers leader and head of the Movement Towards Socialism (MAS), Morales received 51.1% of votes making him the only candidate to receive an absolute majority in modern Bolivian history.

Morale’s election has taken place against the background of mass revolts by working people in Bolivia against the implementation of vicious neo-liberal policies. These policies have had a devastating effect on the lives of the working class and poor – 65% live on less than $2 a day. Since 2000 three uprisings have taken place against the privatisation of the country’s water and natural resources, in what were called the "water and gas wars". These mass movements forced the resignation of two of Bolivia’s Presidents.

In May of last year, a mass insurrectionary movement took place led by the COB (trade union confederation) demanding the nationalisation of the country’s gas and oil reserves. These reserves are estimated to be worth $100 billion, twelve times the country’s GDP. During the 90s, the state oil company was privatised and the tax on the profits from gas exploration was lowered from 50% to 18%.

During the uprising, roadblocks were put up on 80% of the roads leading into the capital La Paz. In the city of El Alto committees were set up that took responsibility for the distribution of food and supplies and acted as an alternative form of government. Significantly in response to this, the leadership of COB raised the demand for a workers’ and peasants’ government as an alternative to the parliament that had sold off the country’s resources to multinationals.

Evo Morales adopted a position to the right of that taken by the working class and peasantry during these movements. For example in May 2004 he initially called simply for raising the taxes on the profits of the oil and gas multinationals, whereas the working class demanded nationalisation.

In the recent elections Morales, reflecting the radical mood of workers and the poor, adopted a more left position. He described himself as US Imperialism’s "worst enemy" and emphasised his close ties with Fidel Castro and Venezuela’s left populist President, Hugo Chavez. Undoubtedly the current Bush administration is worried about the continuing shift to the left that is taking place in Latin America, as shown by this election and the possibility that Morales may be pushed even further to the left in the same way that Chavez has been.

In the aftermath of his election however, Morales has indicated that he may be softening his position. In one interview he was quoted as saying "immediately there aren’t going to be great changes because there are 20 years of neo-liberal laws… unfortunately it will be my duty to respect those laws". Instead of challenging the rule of capitalism it seems he may seek to model his Presidency on that of Lula in Brazil who has slavishly implemented the will of the International Monetary Fund. If he refuses to challenge big business and international capitalism, he will enjoy an even shorter "honeymoon period" than Lula enjoyed in the aftermath of his election in 2002.

The mood of the Bolivian working class and peasantry was summed up by one miner who said "Morales is our brother and we trust him, but he should beware of not delivering on his promises". Already the COB has given Morales three months to implement their demand of the nationalisation of the country’s oil and gas reserves or mass street protests will begin again. Similar warnings have been given by the Peasants’ Confederation and the teachers’ union has demanded the implementation of a minimum wage of €700 or it will take strike action. Morales’ own role in the mass movements of 2003 and 2005 and the betrayals of other "left" leaders in Latin America on coming to power means that many in Bolivia are not prepared to adopt a "wait and see" attitude to his presidency.

Bolivia’s working class and oppressed has shown a heroic willingness again and again to challenge the rule of the country’s parasitic wealthy capitalist elite. The demand by huge sections of the population for the nationalisation of the country’s natural resources and calls for a workers’ and peasants’ government indicate that a majority can be won to a struggle for socialism. There are no halfway house solutions to Bolivia’s problems, they cannot be resolved by making compromises with the rich, or doing deals with the IMF. If Morales refuses to confront capitalism and challenge those responsible for the mass poverty, then Bolivia’s masses will move against him.

For further reading on Bolivia see "Morales heads for office" on Socialist World.