Áñez questions political ruptures: 'Politics should not have a price, but neither should it have owners'

Former Bolivian President Jeanine Áñez has voiced strong criticism against parliamentarians who switch allegiances after being elected, a practice she argues undermines the political process. She pointed out the recurring issue of legislators joining the Assembly under one party's banner, only to distance themselves later, a pattern she noted persists across different governments and alliances.

However, Áñez also directed her critique towards party structures and leaders, cautioning against what she termed 'blind obedience.' She emphasized that political parties do not own their elected officials, and party discipline should not supersede individual judgment or the need for internal debate. "Politics should not have a price, but neither should it have owners," Áñez stated on her X account, referencing Bolivia's historical struggles with such practices.

Her comments emerge during a period of significant fragmentation within Bolivia's Legislative Assembly. Áñez stressed the importance of maintaining respect within political organizations, differentiating between necessary discipline and unquestioning adherence to directives. She urged leaders to remember their own past actions and to condemn practices only when they are detrimental, rather than justifying them when they prove beneficial.

Áñez concluded by asserting that a healthy democracy requires representatives with independent judgment, principled parties, and leaders who are willing to listen. She believes that governments and alliances may change, but the core need for integrity and open dialogue within the political sphere remains constant.