Bolivia’s new leader prepares for fresh vote

BOLIVIA’S new interim president has pledged to hold a new election as soon as possible and condemned “revenge” acts by disgruntled supporters of Evo Morales, the ousted leader.

Jeanine Anez assumed the caretaker role after Mr Morales, 60, was forced to quit over “serious irregularities” in last month’s election that saw him seek a fourth term in office.

“God bless you and allow us to be free and to hold transparent elections soon,” she tweeted in a message to the country’s youth.

The 52-year-old has already held talks with the military and police, urging them to quell the violence that erupted when the political vacuum stoked violence on the streets.

As president of the Chamber of Senators, Ms Anez assumed leadership after invoking a constitutional clause that dictates that she would be next in line to rule the country after Mr Morales and his vice president, Alvaro Garcia, resigned on Sunday.

Mr Morales’ resignation came after an audit by the Organization of American States (OAS) called for the election to be annulled amid allegations of fraud. He agreed to a new vote but his allies started to desert him and the military urged him to step down, to ease the simmering protests.

The leftist is now in exile in Mexico, where he pledged to keep up his political “fight” after being ousted in what he has alleged to be a coup.

The UK has congratulated Ms Anez on her appointment.

“We look to all political parties to support efforts to restore calm following recent violence and to organise fresh presidential elections in accordance with the constitution,” the British Foreign Office said in a statement.