Bolivia 1994
Bolivia has experienced 189 coups during its history. By the 1980s, it had gained some degree of political stability. Prompted, in part, by the examples of constitutional revision in Brazil and Columbia, roundtable discussions among the major parties in the fall of 1991 and again in June 1992 led to an agreement to pursue constitutional reform. There was also the hope and expectation that Bolivia might qualify for Mercusor, the trade pact between a number of South American countries.
The rountable debated whether to follow the amendment procedures provided in the 1967 Constitution or to convene a constituent assembly. The parties agreed to revise. They identified certain areas for reform such as the degree of proportional representation in the Congress, reform of the judiciary, the process to decentralize some government powers and functions, and possible changes in the procedures for constitutional amendments.
The amendment procedure under the 1967 constitution required a "Law of Necessity for Constitutional Reform," setting out the scope of changes to be made. It had to be approved by two-thirds of each House of Congress. After an intervening election, both houses must then approve the text of amendments, again by a two-thirds majority. The three largest parties controlling two-thirds majorities in both houses drafted the "Law of Necessity" in secret and sprang it as a fait accompli on the Congress in March 1993. Some deputies walked out on the debate because they had no opportunity to participate in drafting the law. Nevertheless, the "Law of Necessity" was passed by the requisite two-thirds majority in both houses of Congress and elections were then held in June 1993. Only at this stage was there any opportunity for public discussion. At least one conference was held on the matter.
After the new Congress and President were elected, the text of the amendments could be prepared, but only within the framework of the "Law of Necessity" adopted by the previous Congress. Negotiators looked at the constitutions of both Brazil and Columbia and studied the German electoral system, in particular. A Commission for Reform of the Constitution was formed. Fundacio Mileno served as a "think tank" supporting the work of constitutional reform negotiators. In an attempt to build consensus, the vote of the Congress to approve the revisions was delayed until August 5, 1994. On that date, the requisite two-thirds of the 130 deputies and 27 senators voted to approve. By Presidential promulgation, the constitution went into effect a week later on August 12, 1994.
Result: There was great labor and popular resistance to open market reforms required for membership in Mercusor. In 1995, the Bolivian Workers Confederation launched a general strike. In April 1995, a state of siege was declared by the government and civil liberties were suspended. Another general strike followed in 1996.