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Bolivian Lawmakers Select Caretaker President
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(http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=DD399A:3919ACA

Supreme Court President Eduardo Rodriguez replaces Carlos Mesa, who
resigned, Thursday

Bolivian lawmakers surprised the nation late Thursday when they
announced they had accepted the resignation of President Carlos Mesa
and selected his successor. The selection of Eduardo Rodriguez clears
the way for early elections.







President of Bolivia Eduardo Rodriguez waves as he leaves the House of
Liberty in Sucre, Bolivia on Friday, June 10, 2005In a late-night
session of Congress, Bolivian lawmakers accepted the resignation of
President Carlos Mesa and selected Supreme Court President Eduardo
Rodriguez to assume the presidency. Mr. Rodriguez was third in line to
assume the presidency. Senate President Hormando Vaca Diez and
Congress President Mario Cossio Cortez both declined the position.

In an early-morning inaugural address to lawmakers and Bolivians, the
newly sworn in president thanked leaders for their show of faith in
him and said Bolivia had a way to go to repair the damaged nation.

"We must now work to restore the republic," said President Rodriguez

Mr. Mesa's resignation and the naming of Mr. Rodriguez as president is
intended to end weeks of crippling protests and open the way for
elections within six months. In his address, President Rodriguez said
he would call early elections, but did specify a date.

Mr. Mesa, who came to power in 2003 after his predecessor was ousted
during bloody popular protests, had urged early elections after
offering his resignation.

Bolivia has been hampered for nearly a month by protests over the
government's handling of the gas industry and calls for its
nationalization. Protesters also want a rewritten constitution giving
more government representation to Bolivia's indigenous population.

Clashes between Bolivian protesters and police left one demonstrator
dead on Thursday.




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