Jeanine Anez (C) wears the presidential sash after proclaiming herself interim president in La Paz, Bolivia, on Nov. 12, 2019. Opposition senator Jeanine Anez assumed on Tuesday the presidency of the Bolivian Senate, which has allowed her to also proclaim herself interim president of the country. (Photo by Meagan Hancock/Xinhua)
Before proclaiming herself interim president, Anez first proclaimed herself the president of the Senate, which is next in line to the presidency, in the absence of the president and the first vice president of the body, both of whom have sought asylum in Mexico.
LA PAZ, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- Opposition senator Jeanine Anez assumed on Tuesday the presidency of the Bolivian Senate, which has allowed her to also proclaim herself interim president of the country.
At a special session of the Senate, which did not include members of the ruling party Movement Towards Socialism (MAS), Anez assumed power, vowing to call new elections within 90 days.
"Conforming to the text of the Constitution, as president of the Senate Chamber, I immediately assume the presidency of the State," said Anez, the second vice president of the Senate. "I commit myself to taking all measures necessary to pacify the country."
Before proclaiming herself interim president, Anez first proclaimed herself the president of the Senate, which is next in line to the presidency, in the absence of the president and the first vice president of the body, both of whom have sought asylum in Mexico.
Anez moved to take temporary control of the Senate even though she lacked a quorum to appoint her, which she said was due to the absence of legislators from the MAS, the majority of parliament.
Betty Yaniquez, congressional leader from the MAS, denounced the self-proclamation as illegal. ■
