Movimiento Nacionalista Revolucionario

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The Movimiento Nacionalista Revolucionario (MNR) is Bolivia's oldest political party and shaped most of 20th century Bolivian politics. It was founded in 1941-1942 as a middle-class national revolutionary party in the post-Chaco era. The party led the 1952 National Revolution, which was responsible for a host of reforms including: universal adult suffrage, land reform, and the nationalization of mining industries. After the implementation of neoliberal economic policies in 1985 by its historical leader, Víctor Paz Estenssoro, the party has become a center-right neoliberal party. As one of the three main parties of the post-democratization political system, along with Acción Democrática Nacionalista (ADN) and Movimiento de la Izquierda Revolucionaria (MIR), it is often referred to as a systemic party. After the 2003 guerra del gas, which overthrew president Gonzalo Sánchez de Lozada, the party lost its dominant position, though it still remains a significant political presence. The current party leader is Mirtha Quevedo, elected April 2004.

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History

The MNR grew out of national revolutionary movements that flourished after the Chaco War (1932-1935). Though key figures had met to form a new party in 1941, the party was officially founded 7 June 1942 by young middle-class nationalists who had supported the Germán Busch regime (1936-1939). These included Víctor Paz Estenssoro, Hernán Siles Zuazo, Wálter Guevara Arze, Carlos Montenegro, and Augusto Céspedes. From the start, the MNR represented a bourgeois-nationalist movement that sought to overthrow the oligarchic liberal republic. Within a few years, the party became the country's dominant national revolutionary party.

The National Revolution

For more history and bibliography, see 1952 National Revolution.

In 1943 the MNR participated in its first coup, alongside Razón de Patria (RADEPA) and Falange Socialista Boliviana (FSB), establishing the Gualberto Villarroel regime (1943-1946). After Villarroel was killed by a popular mob, a restoration regime of liberal republic and Marxist parties governed until 1952. During the late 1940s, the MNR established a multi-class aliance between the middle classes and labor. The party attempted an unsuccessful civilian putsch in 1949, before the successful 1952 April Revolution. The MNR would govern Bolivia until 1964, when it was overthrown in a military coup by René Barrientos (who was supported by MNR factions and opposition parties).

Between 1952 and 1964, the MNR governed under three governments:

By the 1960s the MNR was split into various factions, including:

During the following years, factions of the MNR participated in several de facto regimes. The pazestenssorista wing (MNRH) supported the 1971 Hugo Banzer coup, though the party left the government in 1974. MNRH represented the "official" faction and campaigned in the 1979, 1980, and 1985 general elections under the MNR banner; other factions campaigned independently or in alliances with other political groups.

The MNR since 1985

The post-democratization period saw the MNR transition from a national revolutionary party into a neoliberal party. This period also saw the first institutionalized transfer of power within the party, as Gonzalo Sánchez de Lozada was voted party chief in April 1990; he would remain party chief until April 2004.

In 1985, Paz Estenssoro won the second plurality (30.3% of valid votes) behind Hugo Banzer (32.8% of valid votes). An alliance of left and center-left parties chose to back Paz Estenssoro, rather than the former military dictator. Once in office, Paz Estenssoro formed an alliance with Banzer (ADN) and initiated a series of neoliberal economic structural reforms, epitomized by DS 21060.

In 1989, the MNR nominated Sánchez de Lozada, who won the first plurality (25.7% of valid votes). Because seats were closely split between the three front runners, parliament reached a deadlock. Unwilling to concede the presidency to the MNR, Banzer (the second-place winner) gave his party's support to Jaime Paz Zamora, the third-place winner (21.6% of valid votes).

In 1993, the MNR again nominated Sánchez de Lozada. The MNR formed a pre-electoral alliance with Movimiento Revolucionario Tupac Katari de Liberación (MRTKL), an indigenous party. The MNR-MRTKL ticket won a wide plurality (35.6% of valid votes). Coalition agreements with MBL and UCS secured parliamentary election. The election also made Víctor Hugo Cárdenas (MRTKL) the country's first indigenous vice president. The first Sánchez de Lozada government carried out a series of reforms, including: capitalization of state-owned industries, bilingual educational reforms, political decentralization and establishment of municipal governments, and a new 1995 Constitution.

In 1997, the MNR nominated Juan Carlos Durán, who placed second (18.6% of valid votes).

In 2002, the MNR again nominated Sánchez de Lozada. The MNR formed a pre-electoral alliance with MBL. The MNR-MBL ticket won a narrow plurality (22.5% of valid votes). Coalition agreements with ADN, MIR, and UCS secured parliamentary election. The second Sánchez de Lozada government was overthrown in October 2003 during the guerra del gas; he was succeeded by his vice president, Carlos Mesa.

The MNR since 2003

In 2005, a weakened and divided MNR nominated Michiaki Nagatani, who placed fourth (6.5% of valid votes).

In 2006, the MNR participated in the 2006 constituent assembly election. The party ran under its own banner in seven departments. In Tarija, the party ran under the banner Camino al Cambio, an alliance with Frente Revolucionario de Izquierda (FRI). In Santa Cruz, the party ran as A3-MNR.

The party is currently led by Mirtha Quevedo, who was elected party chief in April 2004.

Ideology

Presidential candidates

External links

See also

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