President Evo Morales wins a recall referendum

Preliminary results indicate that President Evo Morales won a recall referendum with more than 60 percent of the vote on 10 August 2008. The victory will likely embolden Morales to pursue more nationalization initiatives and other socialist reforms. Four of six opposition governors, who have supported efforts to expand the autonomy of eastern provinces, also won referenda. The results of the referenda essentially reinforced the status quo. The Bolivian political landscape remains highly polarized and there is an ongoing potential for further instability.