Bernese mountain dog becomes new president of Bolivia

Early in November the President of Bolivia, Evo Morales, stepped down from his charge as the result from protests and popular pressure. After Morales other members of the presidential cabinet also stepped down leaving a massive power vacuum until opposition senator Jeanine Áñez declared herself Interim President.

Now a new development has surfaced. The pet of the Bolivian Palace of Government was actually formalized as a member of the presidential cabinet. The charge given to the black, white and brown Bernese Mountain dog was Minister of the Burnt Palace (Ministro del Palacio Quemado), this is a reference Palace of Government’s nickname. The title was supposed to be ceremonial but due to a quirk with the wording of the decree, animal rights legislation and legal precedent, the title is legally binding. Initially it was ignored it but after support from the public and Interim President Áñez herself, Carlitos Morales became the new Interim President of Bolivia.

Áñez, who is still acting as the true president explained: “This was necessary. The last government was ousted because they tried to undermine democracy, If we ignore this situation we are no better. Perhaps if there was less legitimacy to his (Carlitos) claim, then things would be different, but the perfect trifecta of coincidences stacked the odds in the dogs favor”. The next elections will be held sometime in 2020, it is unknown if Carlitos will be up for reelection or keep his past charge in the future.

( Carlitos Morales pictured above with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, Duke and Duchess of Sussex

Image source: Getty/MAXWELLS)