Right-wing contenders moving towards a presidential run-off in Bolivia
In the heart of South America, Bolivia is gearing up for a significant political shift as the country prepares for a second round runoff election on October 19, 2025. The contest features two right-wing candidates, Senator Rodrigo Paz Pereira and former President Jorge "Tuto" Quiroga, who will compete to steer Bolivia out of its current economic crisis.
The first round of voting in late August saw Paz receive around 32-33% of the vote, while Quiroga garnered approximately 26-27%. The election marked the end of nearly two decades of leftist rule by the Movement to Socialism (MAS), whose candidate finished poorly.
Rodrigo Paz, the son of former president Jaime Paz Zamora, has campaigned as a unifier, promising a change that he describes as "of all, for all." His platform focuses on pragmatic economic policies, including advocating for accessible credit, tax incentives, decentralization of resources, and a crackdown on corruption. Paz has also pledged not to sell Bolivia’s vast lithium resources to international companies, seeking a more sustainable financial approach.
On the other hand, Quiroga, a conservative and right-wing candidate, proposes an overhaul of Bolivia's large-state economic model. He supports cooperation with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and other international organizations to finance economic recovery. Quiroga frames the election as a chance for "liberty" and democracy after years of leftist rule. He plans to create tax-free investment zones in the Andean high plains, which contain 30% of the world's lithium deposits.
The election campaign has been dominated by deep economic concerns. High inflation near 25%, shortages of basic commodities, fuel shortages, and currency scarcity have created a severe economic crisis in Bolivia. Both leading candidates are emphasizing change and economic recovery to address these challenges.
However, Quiroga's promises of a "small state" have raised concerns among some voters. Meanwhile, nearly one in five voters answered Evo Morales' call to spoil their ballot over his exclusion from the election. Morales, who led the country from 2006 to 2019, has threatened mass protests if the right returns to power.
As the election approaches, the citizens of Bolivia, like 60-year-old pensioner Miriam Escobar, are eager for change. Escobar, who voted in La Paz, expressed her desire for a better future for the country. Gustavo Flores-Macias, a political scientist at Cornell University, added that Paz's late surge showed people were "tired of the same candidates" repeatedly running for the top job.
The outcome of the October 19 runoff election will undoubtedly shape Bolivia's future, marking an end to 20 years of socialist rule that began in 2005. The citizens of Bolivia await the decision with bated breath, hoping for a brighter future.
References: [1] Associated Press. (2025, August 25). Bolivia's presidential election goes to runoff between conservatives. Retrieved from https://apnews.com/article/2025-bolivia-election-conservatives-politics-elections-latin-america-40d86c9956036c66459e47b43534838e
[2] Reuters. (2025, August 25). Bolivia's conservative Rodrigo Paz Pereira advances to presidential runoff. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/bolivias-conservative-rodrigo-paz-perreira-advances-presidential-runoff-2025-08-25/
[3] BBC News. (2025, August 25). Bolivia election: Run-off vote needed in presidential poll. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-58139208
[4] The Guardian. (2025, August 25). Bolivia's conservative Rodrigo Paz Pereira advances to presidential runoff. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/aug/25/bolivia-conservative-rodrigo-paz-perreira-advances-to-presidential-runoff
- The United States is closely watching the political shift in Bolivia, with the October 19, 2025 runoff election set to determine the country's future after two decades of leftist rule.
- The business community, both within Bolivia and internationally, is paying close attention to the economic policies proposed by the two right-wing candidates, Rodrigo Paz Pereira and Jorge "Tuto" Quiroga, as they seek to resolve the nation's economic crisis.
- As the election approaches, foreign governments and international organizations, such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF), are evaluating the potential impact of policy-and-legislation changes on migration, war-and-conflicts, and general news in the region and beyond.
