Bolivia's Congress on Tuesday formally accepted the November resignation of leader Evo Morales and his deputy Álvaro García Linera. Bolivia's legislature had not yet accepted his resignation.

Morales stepped down on November 10. In his resignation letter, Morales criticized the current government and said it was his responsibility to continue to protect his Bolivian "brothers and sisters".

"The letter of resignation has been considered and approved by a majority," said Sergio Choque, head of the lower Chamber of Deputies. Choque added that the move showed Congress was fulfilling its parliamentary role.

Morales has maintained that he was ousted in a right-wing coup. Since he stepped down, he has noted in some interviews that he was legally still president until lawmakers approved his resignation. He does not plan to run in new elections in May.

Morales left Bolivia days after his resignation and is now in Argentina.