Presidential candidates in Bolivia intensify efforts to secure votes ahead of the election
Bolivia's Upcoming Election: Right-Wing Candidates Lead as Country Faces Economic Crisis
Bolivia is gearing up for a significant political shift, with two right-wing candidates, Senator Rodrigo Paz and former President Jorge "Tuto" Quiroga, leading the race in the country's upcoming election. The election, scheduled for Sunday, comes amidst Bolivia's worst crisis in a generation, characterised by acute shortages of dollars, fuel, and subsidized bread.
Rodrigo Paz, a centrist-right moderate, received about 32.8% of the votes in the first round of voting, while Quiroga, a conservative and former president, got around 26.4%. Paz aims to rescue Bolivia from economic collapse with more measured reforms, balancing fiscal responsibility with social stability.
On the other hand, Quiroga advocates stronger economic reforms typical of conservative policies. He is expected to support market-friendly reforms, fiscal austerity, and measures aimed at stabilizing the economy amid the current crisis of inflation and shortages. Quiroga has also promised to create tax-free zones in Bolivia's lithium-rich Andean high plains to attract investment.
The two candidates' promises include cutting costly fuel subsidies and restoring dwindling supplies of dollars and fuel within a stipulated period. Doria Medina, a business tycoon, has pledged to implement shock therapy to pull the country back from the brink of default, while Quiroga has threatened to close the central bank, accusing the outgoing government of misusing it.
The election occurs against a backdrop of economic turbulence, with record inflation and shortages of basic goods. If a right-wing government replaces the long-dominant leftist Movement for Socialism (MAS), Bolivia may experience a significant shift.
The two main left-wing candidates, Rodriguez and del Castillo, are polling in the single digits. A 25-year-old chef named Jonathan Vega expressed hope that Doria Medina will restore stability in Bolivia, while a 23-year-old lawyer, Alejandro Rios, believes Milei-style reforms are necessary to help Bolivia exit its crisis.
Meanwhile, Evo Morales, a former president disqualified from running in the election, has called on his supporters to spoil their ballots in response. In El Alto, a predominantly Indigenous city, Doria Medina vowed to address the acute shortages of dollars, fuel, and subsidized bread.
As the election approaches, the stakes are high for Bolivia. The country needs to find a solution to its economic crisis and restore stability. The outcome of the election will likely determine the direction Bolivia takes in the coming years.
Businessnews and political analysis are abuzz with anticipation as Bolivia's upcoming election approaches, with the leading candidates, Rodrigo Paz and Jorge "Tuto" Quiroga, proposing drastic economic measures to alleviate the country's severe crisis. Their plans include cutting fuel subsidies, attracting investment through tax-free zones, and implementing shock therapy or market-friendly reforms to stabilize the economy and curb inflation. The election, taking place amidst widespread shortages of dollars, fuel, and subsidized goods, could mark a significant shift in Bolivia's political landscape and potentially mend its struggling economy.
