JURIST - Paper Chase: Bolivian Supreme Court head assumes presidency

[JURIST] Head of Bolivia's Supreme Court Eduardo Rodriguez was sworn in as president of the country late Thursday after the Bolivian Congress accepted the second resignation [JURIST report] of President Carlos Mesa [BBC profile]. Bolivia's third president in less than two years, Rodriguez accepted the position only after the Speakers of both houses of Congress declined to exercise their right to become president. For weeks leftist and indigenous protestors have been demanding nationalization of industry to protect the country's vast natural resources and constitutional changes [JURIST report] to give the poor greater representation. Rodriguez, with strong support from the majority of the protestors, has said one of his tasks will be to "begin an electoral process." Under Bolivia's current constitution [text], an election must be held by the end of the year. Read Rodriguez's acceptance speech [in Spanish]. BBC News has more. From Bolivia, Jornada has local coverage [in Spanish].

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