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2006 Issues: January-August September October November December Reports AFRICA | AMERICAS | ASIA | EUROPE | NEAR EAST | OCEANIA | Central Asia | South Asia | North Africa Subscribe to the monthly International Observer
COLOMBIA President is running for second term Colombia’s president opened his reelection campaign on 1 March. As a sitting head of state, he was constitutionally barred to run for a second term until the Constitutional Court on 19 October 2005 upheld the constitutional amendment passed earlier by Congress to enable a president to run for a second consecutive term. Candidates:
The runoff election will be on 18 June, if needed. (March 2006)
Bolivia Champion of more rights for natives and coco farmers wins presidency On 22 January, Evo Morales, 46, will become President. In elections on 18 December, he obtained 54 percent of the vote thus foregoing the need for a second round. Movement to Socialism (MAS) which he founded is supported mainly by the native majority—85 percent of the population belong to native ethnic or mixed groups—and he has campaigned for more rights for Indians. Morales belongs to the Aymara Indians, many of whom farm coco. MAS is opposed to the US-supported eradication program and his removal in January 2002 from his seat in the Chamber of Deputies—later revoked—is blamed on the US Government. The president-elect completed a pre-inaugural tour of visits to China, Cuba, France, Spain, and Venezuela where he sought support for his positions. He is expected to expand rights of Indians in a newly prepared constitution. (Jan. 2006) United States of America Republicans to fill House majority leader vacancy Tom DeLay (Rep.), 58, informed Republican members of the House of Representatives on 7 January that a new majority leader should be elected and that he would not vie for the position. He is one of 32 members of Texas, representing the 22nd District clustered around Houston, who built a reputation of collecting money for his party, far beyond the needs of his district or state, thus rising to a powerful position within the Republican House leadership. The Majority Leader resigned his post after he was first indicted for criminal conspiracy involving illegal campaign financing on 28 September and on 3 October for money laundering, all charges that he has denied. Among candidates for the leader position are House Majority Whip Roy Blunt, 56, of Missouri and John A. Boehner, 56, of Ohio, both Republicans. (Jan. 2006) CANADA Minority government ousted after 17 months in office The threat of defeat that was barely averted in June caught up with the minority Liberal government on 28 November. For the fourth time, a federal government has been dismissed, this time when a motion of no confidence was approved by a 171 to 133 vote. New elections will be held on 23 January 2006.The opposition New Democratic Party (NDP) withdrew its support on 7 November and both Conservatives and the Bloc Québecois were demanding new parliamentary elections in February 2006. (November 2005)
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