Political turmoil and parliamentary response – the constitutional crisis in Bolivia 2019

In recent times, many political theorists have warned on the many signs around the world of democratic backsliding, experienced not only in emerging democracies but also in established ones. One of the areas of concern is the aggrandisement of the executive at the expense of parliaments, which erodes not only checks and balances but also the credibility and legitimacy of state institutions. Analysts are also concerned with damaging effects of political polarisation on democracy. Despite these challenges, parliaments are still seen as safeguard mechanisms during times of crises and have the potential to serve as another democratic line of defence. The severe political crisis in Bolivia in 2019 provides an example to study this role of parliament. Protests and intense social unrest erupted in response to a questionable electoral process in which President Evo Morales attempted to run for office disregarding constitutional term limits. This crisis, however, was also the result of a longstanding process of institutional capture were parliament played a key role supporting the efforts of the executive to extend its control to the rest of the state, aggravated by high levels of polarisation. Following the resignation of higher authorities including the President, the Bolivian state was practically paralysed and parliament became the centre of political negotiations, aimed at restoring constitutional order. After the initial shock, Bolivia's Plurinational Assembly was eventually able to fulfil its constitutional role with the appointment of an interim president. This article describes salient elements of the role of parliament prior and during the crisis, highlighting some of the personalistic elements of politics in this country. It focuses on the parliamentary response to the crisis and the lessons learned, underlining that despite adversity parliaments can help restore order and provide much needed democratic continuity in times of uncertainty.