Bolivia's Constitutional Court endorses Jeanine Anez as the country's interim president

Jeanine Áñez declares herself interim president of Bolivia

Morales condemns 'coup' by 'self-declared' interim president

A deputy senate speaker, Jeanine Anez, proclaims herself Bolivia's new interim president as Evo Morales' opponents seek to end civil turmoil and fill the power vacuum left by his abrupt resignation as president.

AFP reported that the Bolivia's Constitutional Court has endorsed Jeanine Anez as the country's interim president, filling a power vacuum left by the resignation of Evo Morales.

Bolivian opposition senator Jeanine Áñez has declared herself interim president of the South American country saying she was next in line under the constitution and vowed to hold elections soon.

Áñez declared herself Bolivia's interim president Tuesday in an effort to fill the power vacuum left by the abrupt resignation of Evo Morales, who immediately condemned the move as a "sneaky coup."

Lawmakers had been summoned to formalize the resignation and confirm deputy Senate speaker Jeanine Anez, 52, as interim president.

Her appointment was endorsed by Bolivia's Constitutional Court. The Court endorses Jeanine Anez as the country's interim president, filling a power vacuum left by the resignation of Evo Morales

Anez declared herself interim president when the session failed to reach a quorum of lawmakers, many staying away amid blockades and continuing protests by Morales supporters. Lawmakers from Mr Morales' party boycotted the session, and the former president branded Ms Áñez "a coup-mongering right-wing senator".

"We want to call new elections as soon as possible," Anez said in a speech to Congress, with only Morales opponents present.

"It's a commitment we have made to the country and of course, we will fulfill it," she said.

Later, clutching a bible and wearing the presidential sash over her black jacket, the senator addressed supporters from the balcony of the government palace.

Anez said earlier she was confident that enough senators would reach the Senate to form a quorum -- 19 of the 36 were needed to do so.

Mr Morales has fled to Mexico, saying he asked for asylum there because his life was in danger. Tweeting from exile in Mexico, Morales immediately condemned what he called "the sneakiest, most nefarious coup in history."

Morales called Anez "a coup-mongering right-wing senator" and said she had "declared herself... interim president without a legislative quorum, surrounded by a group of accomplices."

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".

Meanwhile, Carlos Mesa, the centrist candidate defeated by Morales in the tainted October 20 presidential elections, tweeted his congratulations to Anez, who has promised a new government would be installed by January 22.

Sources: AFP / BBC