Almagro Bolivia visit strengthens Morales’s position

Significance

The move implied tacit acceptance of Morales’s controversial re-election bid, reducing the likelihood of Bolivia becoming an international pariah along with its allies Venezuela and Nicaragua.

Impacts

• Morales will seek to distance himself somewhat from Venezuela during the campaign.
• Mesa’s prospects will improve if some of his rivals in the opposition drop out.
• Mesa will focus his campaign on areas such as insecurity where the government is more vulnerable.
• The number of undecided voters means there is still much to play for.