Friday, January 27, 2006

Revolution in Bolivia!!!

Bolivia leader halves his own pay


The Bolivian new left-wing President, Evo Morales, has cut his salary by more than a half to a little over $1,800 (£1,012) per month.
The decision means that the salaries of all Bolivian public sector employees will be reviewed, as no official can earn more than the president.

Mr Morales said the money saved would be used to increase the numbers of doctors and teachers.

Mr Morales suggested that members of Congress should cut their salaries too.

During the campaign, Mr Morales had pledged to halve his own pay if elected.

The move announced after his first cabinet went beyond that, with a cut of 57%.

BBC South America correspondent Daniel Schweimler says many voted for Mr Morales believing that he was different from the more conservative politicians who have governed in the past.

The former llama herder and coca leaf farmer was inaugurated last Sunday as Bolivia's first indigenous president.

He has promised to fight corruption, introduce a new tax on the wealthy, and renationalise energy companies.

From the BBC:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4652940.stm

And does everyone know that Chile has just elected their first woman president, a doctor and single mother? If you're interested, go to news.bbc.co.uk and click on "americas" in the news column.

2 comments:

Emily said...

very interesting!

i often rely on my brother sending me the latest good bbc articles...

Jason and Emily said...

WOOP WOOP!!!

*happy dance*