Bolivian opposition senator Jeanine Áñez has declared herself interim president of the South American country following the resignation of the immediate past president, Evo Morales.
Lawmakers from Morales’ party boycotted the session, meaning there was no quorum for the appointment.
But Áñez said she was next in line under the constitution and vowed to hold elections soon.
Morales condemned the announcement, describing Ms Áñez as “a coup-mongering right-wing senator”.
The former president has fled to Mexico, saying he asked for asylum there because his life was in danger.
He resigned on Sunday after weeks of protests over a disputed presidential election result. He has said he had been forced to stand down but had done so willingly “so there would be no more bloodshed”.
Áñez took temporary control of the Senate on Tuesday, putting her next in line for the presidency.
The former deputy Senate leader assumed the position following a series of resignations.
The parliamentary session to appoint her was boycotted by lawmakers from Mr Morales’ leftist Movement for Socialism party, who said it was illegitimate.
“Before the definitive absence of the president and vice president… as the president of the Chamber of Senators, I immediately assume the presidency as foreseen in the constitutional order,” Ms Áñez said to applause from opposition lawmakers.
Bolivia’s highest constitutional court backed her assumption of power.
Taking to Twitter from Mexico, Morales condemned the “sneakiest, most nefarious coup in history”.
fled to Mexico as unrest erupted on the streets of the Bolivian administrative capital, La Paz, with angry supporters of the socialist leader clashing with security forces.
After arriving in Mexico City on Tuesday, he thanked Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, whom he credited with saving his life.
“While I have life, I’ll stay in politics, the fight continues. All the people of the world have the right to free themselves from discrimination and humiliation,” he said.
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