Besieged by protests over his gas policy, Bolivian President Carlos Mesa offered his resignation to Congress on Monday, leaving opposition lawmakers to decide his political future. Presidency Minister Jose Galindo delivered the resignation, which was broadcast on television. Congress will most likely meet on Tuesday and analysts said it could reject the surprise move announced by Mesa on Sunday after 17 months in office.
"I have decided to submit my resignation as constitutional president to the country through the honourable Congress of the nation elected by the people," Mesa said in the letter read by Galindo.
Mesa said he could not "continue to govern besieged by blockades."
If Congress accepts the resignation, it will be the second time a Bolivian president has quit in less than two years amid protests by the indigenous majority centring mostly on the issue of how to develop the country's massive gas reserves.