Nationalist Democratic Action (ADN)
Nationalist Democratic Action (ADN)
Founded in 1979, the conservative Nationalist Democratic Action (Acción Democrática Nacionalista, ADN) party played a key role in Bolivia's transition. Hugo Banzer Suárez, the party's nominee in the 1979, 1980, 1985, 1989, 1993, and 1997 elections, created it to help defend him against charges stemming from his authoritarian tenure. The ADN formed governing pacts in 1985 and 1989, and finally took the presidency in 1997. When Banzer resigned because of poor health in 2001, the reins passed to Vice President Jorge Quiroga. The party then virtually collapsed: It received less than 4 percent of votes in 2002, did not compete in 2005, and received less than 2 percent of votes in the 2006 constituent assembly elections.
See alsoBanzer Suárez, Hugo; Bolivia, Political Parties: Overview.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Crabtree, John, and Laurence Whitehead, eds. Towards Democratic Viability: The Bolivian Experience. Houndmills, Basingstoke, U.K., and New York: Palgrave, 2001.
Robert R. Barr