On January 25, 2009, Bolivian voters approved a new constitution placing more power in the hands of the country's indigenous majority. The constitution, which passed by a 59 percent majority, is said by President Evo Morales to be the start of the new Bolivia. The constitution serves to remove traditional colonial elites from power, and to challenge US influence. It also redistributes land and creates seats in Congress for minority indigenous groups. The constitution was strongly opposed in the conservative eastern lowlands, a stronghold of European descendants.


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