Right-wing candidates dominate in Bolivia's presidential and parliamentary elections - Right-wing contenders leading in Bolivia's presidential and parliamentary elections
In the heart of South America, Bolivia is gearing up for a significant political shift as the results of its recent presidential and parliamentary elections have yet to be fully announced. The elections, held on a Sunday, marked a departure from the 20-year dominance of the left-wing MAS party, led by former president Evo Morales and the incumbent Luis Arce, who is not running for re-election.
The first-round election on August 17, 2025, saw Jorge Quiroga, a former president, and Senator Rodrigo Paz Pereira advance to the runoff, scheduled for October 19. Quiroga received approximately 27% of the vote, while Paz Pereira garnered 32%. Doria Medina, another significant political figure, did not place in the top two and has been eliminated from the race.
The economic crisis in Bolivia is severe, with record inflation and shortages of basic goods. The election context is marked by these challenges, with many candidates addressing these issues broadly. However, specific detailed platforms from Doria Medina and Quiroga during the 2025 election are not provided in the available sources.
Quiroga, as he advances to the runoff, will likely focus more on his economic policies in the campaign period leading to October 19. Doria Medina, despite being a significant political figure, lacks up-to-date polling numbers showing strong current contention for the presidency.
The two leading candidates, Quiroga and Paz Pereira, represent right-wing political leanings and plan to implement liberal reforms, including the privatization of nationalized companies. Notably, Evo Morales, a former left-wing president of Bolivia, has warned that his supporters would take to the streets if a right-wing government comes to power.
The elections were for the positions of president and members of parliament, and the nature of the political leanings of the parliamentary candidates was not specified in the provided paragraph. The results of the parliamentary elections are also yet to be announced.
As the runoff election approaches, the eyes of Bolivia and the world will be on the South American nation, eagerly awaiting the outcome and the potential political and economic changes that may follow.
Luis Arce, former president of Bolivia and leader of the left-wing MAS party, is no longer in the running for president, as right-wing candidates Jorge Quiroga and Senator Rodrigo Paz Pereira advanced to the October 19 runoff. In the initial polls, war-and-conflicts and general news outlets reported existing tensions, as Evo Morales, a former left-wing president, has warned that his supporters could take to the streets if a right-wing government comes to power. The parliamentary elections, held on the same day, also seek to elect two candidates, yet their political leanings remain unspecified.
