Sawt Falasteen - Bolivian leader to slash own salary by 50% in gesture to protesters

The center-right leader is struggling to end a popular revolt just six months into his presidency.

The demonstrations began in early May over the government's handling of the worst economic crisis in four decades but have since snowballed into calls for the US-backed Paz to resign.

Supplies to the administrative capital La Paz have for weeks been cut off by road blockades, causing acute shortages of food, fuel and medicine.

"This president has made the decision, as part of his efforts and commitment to the country, to reduce his salary by 50 percent," Paz announced in the southeastern city of Sucre.

The president's monthly salary is currently set at around 24,000 bolivianos ($3,500).

It was unclear whether the gesture would appease the protesters.

Paz's previous attempts at outreach, including his firing of an unpopular labor minister and promises to give trade unions and Indigenous groups more of a say in government policy, didn't seem to satisfy them.

On Saturday, police attempting to clear roads leading to La Paz clashed for hours with demonstrators.

In an interview with Argentine broadcaster TN on Saturday, Paz said he would make "all possible efforts" to ensure dialogue with protesters.

"But everything has a limit," he cautioned, refusing to rule out imposing a state of emergency if the standoff continued.

Paz, an economist by profession, comes from a family with a long history in politics.

His election marked an end to two decades of socialism launched in the mid-2000s by Evo Morales, Bolivia's first Indigenous leader.

Since coming to power, 58-year-old Paz has attempted to tackle the root cause of the economic crisis -- a shortage of currency caused by generous fuel subsidies -- but has failed to stabilize fuel supplies or end surging inflation.

Morales, who made a failed comeback bid last year despite being wanted by police on charges of trafficking a minor, on Sunday called for Paz to resign and hold new elections.

U.AlSharif--SF-PST