An oil law, to replace one introduced by Goni in 1996 to underpin privatisation, is wending its way through Congress.

ECONOMIST: Bolivia's president performs a tricky balancing act

Ironically, Mr Mesa's biggest challenge may be Goni himself.

ECONOMIST: Bolivia's president performs a tricky balancing act

Goni, a successful businessman raised in America, had been President of Bolivia from 1993 to 1997 and had instituted a center-left program of privatization combined with social security and national health care.

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