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Indian political party wins Bolivian elections


Bolivia's largest Indian political party swept the country's municipal elections on Sunday.

The Movement to Socialism party won nearly every local election, according to unofficial results. Indian leader Evo Morales said the party is the country's biggest political force.

Morales, a congressman, and other Indian leaders have increased their political clout in recent years in a country where Indians make up 61 percent of the population. Indian activists drove former president Gonzalo Sanchez de Lozada from office in 2003. His replacement, Carlos Mesa, created cabinet position for Indian affairs, made an agreement with Morales and met with Native groups

Mesa's party beat MSA in the capitol of La Paz.

Get the Story:
Indian, Peasant Groups Win Bolivia Races (AP 12/6)
pwlat
Bolivians Back Coca - Farming Indian in Local Vote (Reuters 12/6)

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