Male chauvinism and corruption are the causes of the defeat of the ruling party in departmental elections

Morales attributed his defeat in local elections to male chauvinism and corruption. (Source: Wikipedia)

“I deeply regret that we had lost the elections in La Paz,” said Bolivian President Evo Morales on Sunday, at the Palacio Quemado in La Paz, during a press conference after the victory of opposition candidates in departmental and municipal elections.

The overwhelming triumph obtained by representatives of the opposition in the government of the capital and the municipality of El Alto, were considered by the President as a punishment vote to male chauvinism and corruption.

The center-right militant of National Unity (UN), Soledad Chapetón, was victorious over Edgar Patana, candidate of the MAS ruling party for mayor of that locality. Videos of Patana receiving money from the former mayor Fanor Nava, when he was a trade unionist, affected his popularity.

Although “Demócratas,” right-wing group, will have presence in La Paz and Cochabamba, “MAS is the largest party in the history of Bolivia, that’s not in question,” said Morales.