LA PAZ, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- The Bolivian government on Friday announced a sweeping overhaul of its executive branch, slashing the number of vice ministries from 58 to 17 as part of a broad restructuring effort.

Presidential spokesperson Carla Faval said that the move is part of the new administration's early institutional adjustments aimed at improving efficiency amid fiscal strain.

Minister of the Presidency Jose Luis Lupo said that the government is considering reducing the number of ministries to between eight and 10 once the country moves past its current economic and political crisis.

He said Thursday that though officials have drafted a preliminary roadmap for reorganizing the executive branch, an immediate transformation is not feasible as operational emergencies and fiscal tensions persist. ■