The Executive of Bolivia, led by President Rodrigo Paz, has reiterated its support for the Minister of Economy, José Gabriel Espinoza, despite the Legislative Assembly approving a motion of censure against him. The Government emphasizes that Espinoza will remain in the position, as the vote did not reach the required threshold to force his departure.
In an appearance before the media reported by the Bolivian newspaper "La Razón," the presidential spokesperson, José Luis Gálvez, confirmed that Espinoza will continue at the head of the economic portfolio. He argued that the session in the Legislative Assembly did not meet the conditions set in the Constitution for the censure to imply the automatic dismissal of a minister.
"Minister Espinoza continues in total exercise of his functions, because it does not correspond according to the session given, and anyway once he made the decision, if he did so with the Assembly, he should proceed to the action of the Executive, and that has not happened," the spokesperson pointed out, making it clear that the replacement of the minister is not on the table.
The motion against the head of Economy was approved with 91 votes in favor, 34 against, and four abstentions. However, Gálvez reminded that, for a censure of a cabinet member to succeed, the support of two-thirds of the total legislators is essential, which means a minimum of 111 votes from the 130 parliamentarians that make up the Chamber.