Bolivia heads for runoff election
Change of government in Bolivia: For the first time in 20 years, the socialist MAS failed to secure the top spot. Conservative candidates Paz and Quiroga are ahead. A runoff election is looming.
Senator Rodrigo Paz Pereira of the Christian Democratic Party surprisingly won the first round of Bolivia’s presidential election after almost all votes were counted, receiving approximately 32 percent of the vote.
Behind him, with about 26 percent, was former President Jorge “Tuto” Quiroga Ramírez of the Free Alliance. Because neither of them apparently achieved an absolute majority, a runoff election is expected on October 19.
Favorti only in third place
Right-wing entrepreneur Samuel Doria Medina, who had long led in the polls, came in third with around 19 percent, according to the polling institutes Ipsos and Captura. The millionaire had actually been expected to advance to the runoff.
The left-wing MAS party of incumbent President Luis Arce and his predecessor Evo Morales was punished after 20 years in power. Arce himself did not run again, but Eduardo del Castillo did – he received about 3 percent of the vote.
Nearly eight million citizens in the South American country were called to the election – voting was compulsory. Voters had to choose between eight candidates and elect the 166 members of both houses of parliament.
Severe economic crisis and desire for change
The elections took place amid a severe economic crisis in the Andean nation. Inflation is at nearly 25 percent, and there are shortages of fuel and foreign currency. The desire for fundamental political change is widespread among the population.
Political experts compare the situation in Bolivia with that in neighboring Argentina, where voters ended the long-standing government of the left-leaning Peronists in 2023 amid a severe economic crisis. The ultra-right and radical free-market liberal Javier Milei was elected president at the time.
Under Morales—the country’s first indigenous president—Bolivia experienced strong economic growth for more than a decade. The left-wing politician nationalized the gas sector and invested the revenues in social programs, thereby halving extreme poverty in the country. However, insufficient investment in the gas sector led to a collapse in revenues.
