Bohemian Bolivian

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Bolivia's president, Evo Morales, invoked a 'nuclear option' of his own last month. After his Movement Toward Socialism (MAS) party failed to gain the two-thirds majority needed for constitutional amendments in a July 1st election, Mr. Morales instituded a procedural change allowing the assembly to amend the constitution by a simple majority. The final draft will still require a two-thirds majority for final passage, but the move allows Mr. Morales to co-opt opponents with individualized concessions instead of negotiating against a unified alignment. MAS needs 33 additional votes (or 28% of the opposition) for a two-thirds majority.