Bolivia’s Constitutional Court has ruled that former President Evo Morales cannot run for the presidency again, opening a new chapter in the country’s long-running political crisis.

Evo Morales clashed with current president Luis Arce over the nomination of the Movement for Socialism (MAS) – the party founded by the former head of state (2006-2019).

However, the Constitutional Court put a brake on his plans, as it ruled that a president cannot serve more than two terms – consecutive or not.

After two terms in the presidency of Bolivia, Morales was able to be elected president for a third term by a court decision because the first one preceded a constitutional revision. He ran for a fourth term in the 2019 election, but was forced to flee the country when riots broke out amid disputed results. Luis Arce – Morales’ former finance minister – was elected president of Bolivia in 2020.

“Without a doubt, (the Constitutional Court’s verdict) ushers in a new era in Bolivian politics,” opposition MP Marcelo Pedrasas said on Friday. “In 2025 we will have elections without Evo Morales on the ballot,” he added.

Morales’ lawyer, Orlando Ceballos, called the verdict politically motivated. “What are they trying to do? Get rid of MAS, exclude Evo (Morales). This is the issue,” Sebagios said in a radio interview, announcing he would appeal to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights.

The Morales-Arce standoff has escalated in recent weeks, with the former president’s supporters blocking road junctions and launching attacks on military bases.

Evo Morales accused the government of ignoring his call for dialogue and went on hunger strike a week ago, complaining of political persecution.

On Friday, lawmakers loyal to Morales caused chaos in Congress ahead of the president’s scheduled annual address. Luis Arce was forced to deliver his speech from the presidential palace.