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Bolivia has elected Rodrigo Paz, of the center-right Christian Democratic Party (PDC), as its new president, marking a decisive end to nearly 20 years of governance by the Movement for Socialism (MAS) party. With 97% of ballots tallied, Paz secured 54.5% of the vote in Sunday’s runoff election, defeating right-wing former interim President Jorge “Tuto” Quiroga, who received 45.4%,according to the country’s Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE).
Paz’s victory signals a meaningful shift in Bolivia’s political landscape, as he pledges a dramatic economic overhaul centered around a “capitalism for all” approach. This includes aspiring plans for tax cuts, tariff reductions, and the decentralization of the national government, a stark contrast to the socialist policies that have defined the nation for the past two decades.
A Political Legacy and economic Vision
The 58-year-old Paz follows in the footsteps of his father, Jaime Zamora, a former left-wing president, demonstrating a complex family political history. Paz himself honed his political skills after studying economics in the United States, returning to Bolivia to serve as a city councillor and later as mayor of Tarija. He was elected a senator for the region in 2020, building a platform focused on economic liberalization.
Following the announcement of the results, Paz’s vice-presidential running mate, Edmand Lara, called for “unity and reconciliation,” emphasizing the urgent need to address pressing economic challenges. “We must ensure the supply of diesel and gasoline. People are suffering.We need to stabilize the prices of the basic food basket, and we must put an end to corruption,” Lara stated.
MAS’s Decline and a Divided Left
Sunday’s runoff election followed a significant setback for the MAS party in the August preliminary election. The party’s prospects were severely hampered by the disqualification of former left-wing President Evo Morales from running, due to term limits and issues related to party affiliation. Outgoing President luis Arce, who had a strained relationship with Morales, also opted not to contest the election.
The internal divisions within the left-wing coalition, coupled with Bolivia’s deepening economic crisis, contributed to the widespread expectation that MAS would be unable to retain power. Despite the loss, Morales retains considerable influence, notably among Indigenous Bolivians, and is expected to remain a vocal opposition figure. On Sunday, Morales asserted that both candidates represent only “a handful of people in Bolivia,” arguing that neither truly embodies the popular or Indigenous movements.
Economic Challenges and Uncertainties
Bolivia is currently grappling with a severe economic crisis, characterized by nearly 25% annual inflation and critical shortages of US dollars and fuel.Prior to the august 17 general election, citizens took to the streets to protest soaring prices and lengthy queues for essential goods like fuel and bread.
The economic downturn represents a significant departure from the period of strong growth and Indigenous upliftment experienced under Morales, who nationalized the gas sector and directed the resulting revenue into social programs that dramatically reduced extreme poverty between 2006 and 2019. However, a decision not to expand the country’s gas sector after Morales’s tenure led to a decline in energy revenues – falling from a peak of $6.1 billion in 2013 to $1.6 billion in 2024 – ultimately depleting the government’s foreign exchange reserves needed for crucial imports.
paz has yet to clearly articulate his plans regarding the continuation of a costly fuel subsidy, indicating at times that it may be restricted to “vulnerable sectors” of the population. . Arce is scheduled to leave office on November 8, completing a single presidential term allowed under Bolivia’s constitution.
– Bolivia’s constitution limits presidents to a single consecutive term,contributing to Arce’s decision not to run for reelection.
– The Movement for Socialism (MAS) party held power in bolivia for nearly two decades, beginning with Evo Morales’s election in 2006.
– Bolivia’s economy relies heavily on natural gas exports; declining revenues have fueled the current economic crisis and inflation.
