Bolivian parties link support for laws to respect for caucuses, anti-party switching

Legislators from the Libre and Unidad parties in Bolivia are demanding that the government respect the institutional integrity of parliamentary caucuses and refrain from encouraging "transfuguismo" – the practice of switching political parties – as a condition for their support on fundamental laws. The government has begun sending key legislative proposals, starting with the Investment Law, to the Plurinational Legislative Assembly after a three-month delay.

However, lawmakers, particularly from Libre and Unidad, are criticizing the ruling party for bypassing caucus leadership and negotiating directly with individual legislators. Tomasa Yarhui, the head of the Libre caucus in the Senate, expressed strong disapproval, stating that this approach fosters political "transfuguismo" and weakens the established structure of the caucuses. "We repudiate this fact totally," Yarhui declared, emphasizing the need to respect institutional frameworks and work in a coordinated manner.

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Unfortunately, there are some senators and deputies who are working with the ruling party behind the scenes, unless they have agreements, but that is not good. Institutionalism must be respected, the structure of the caucuses must be respected and work coordinatedly, and unfortunately President Rodrigo (Paz) is encouraging the possibility of transfuguismo and is encouraging the democratic breakdown of these legally constituted caucuses in the legislative assembly. We repudiate this fact totally.

Yarhui further argued that a political agreement must be reached before these laws are debated to ensure respect for the caucuses and to establish a clear path for treating legislative proposals. This stance highlights a tension between the executive's desire for swift legislative action and the opposition's insistence on procedural integrity and respect for party structures.

President Rodrigo Paz had previously confirmed that the Investment Law, drafted by the Ministry of Economy and Finance, would be submitted to the assembly. The proposed Hydrocarbons Law, initially expected to be the first, was postponed due to evolving versions. Presidential spokesperson José Luis Gálvez acknowledged the executive's strategy, confirming that they would engage with political leaders, internal alliances, and, if necessary, individual assembly members to secure votes for legislative projects.

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Political leaders will be spoken to, internal alliances will be spoken to, and – if necessary – each of the assembly members, senators, and deputies will be spoken to.