Bolivia’s presidential election results have been announced, with centrist-right Senator Rodrigo Paz defeating conservative opponent Jorge “Tuto” Quiroga to win the presidential election, ending nearly two decades of left-wing “Movement for Socialism” (MAS) dominance in the country.
According to preliminary statistics from the Bolivian Electoral Court, Paz, representing the Christian Democratic Party (PDC), won the runoff with 54.6% of the vote, ahead of Quiroga’s 45.4%. However, PDC did not secure a majority in parliament, so Paz will need to form alliances with other parties to ensure governance stability. Paz is set to officially take office on November 8.
At 58 years old, Paz hails from the gas-rich town of Tarija in the south. His election is seen as a turning point in Bolivia’s political history. Since 2006, Bolivia has been ruled by MAS, founded by former President Evo Morales, which enjoyed widespread support for its social welfare and indigenous policies, but has seen a decline in popularity in recent years due to economic downturn and corruption issues.
Paz advocates for a growth model led by the private sector while maintaining social welfare. He promises tax incentives for small and medium-sized enterprises, grants more fiscal autonomy to local governments, and aims to reform the national economic structure gradually. In contrast, Quiroga proposed significant spending cuts and sought IMF relief, a stance deemed too radical by some voters.
Bolivia is facing its most severe economic challenges in decades, with a sharp decline in natural gas exports, ongoing fuel shortages, and high inflation. Paz stated that the new government will “rebuild the economy for the people,” gradually adjusting fuel subsidy policies to provide targeted assistance to vulnerable groups, and requiring large corporations to purchase oil at market prices. He also mentioned negotiations with fuel suppliers to ensure the swift restoration of diesel and gasoline supply.
In terms of foreign policy, Paz explicitly advocates for adjusting Bolivia’s past international orientation, seeking to return to a “diverse and balanced” diplomatic approach. During his campaign, he repeatedly mentioned restoring diplomatic relations with the United States and Europe, restarting economic and security cooperation with Western democracies, and ending the excessive reliance on China and Russia in the country’s foreign relations.
Paz’s running mate, former police officer Edman Lara, attracted support from young voters with his outspoken stance against corruption and down-to-earth image, seen as a significant factor in influencing the election. However, the new government will still face serious challenges, including foreign exchange shortages for fuel imports and political instability due to parliamentary divisions.
Bolivia’s largest labor union, the Central Obrera Boliviana (COB), has cautioned that if the new government cuts subsidies or weakens labor rights, they may take action. This highlights the delicate balance Paz needs to strike between economic reform and social stability.
According to the election results, PDC won 49 seats out of 130 in the Chamber of Deputies and 16 seats out of 36 in the Senate, while Quiroga’s alliance secured 39 seats and 12 seats respectively. Paz will depend on cross-party cooperation to advance what he calls the “new stage of 21st-century Bolivian democracy.”
(This article is based on a report by Reuters)