Right-wing presidential candidate in Bolivia promises significant transformation
In the upcoming 2025 elections, Luis Quiroga, a former president of Bolivia (2001-2002) and a leading right-wing candidate, is positioning himself as a conservative alternative to the ruling Movement towards Socialism (MAS) party. After nearly two decades of MAS dominance, Quiroga aims to capitalise on widespread public dissatisfaction with the party's handling of the economy [1][2][5].
Quiroga, who was Bolivia’s youngest-ever vice president, has a track record as finance minister. His political stance is right-wing conservatism, and he warns against the economic populism of the MAS, criticising its fiscal mismanagement as the root cause of Bolivia’s current economic crisis.
To address the crisis, Quiroga promotes free-market-oriented policies. These include closing loss-making public companies, ending fuel subsidies, and opening Bolivia to foreign investment. He seeks closer relations with the United States and intends to distance Bolivia from leftist governments in Venezuela, Cuba, and Nicaragua, marking a clear ideological break from the MAS's traditional allies [1][2].
Quiroga's plans for Bolivia’s economic recovery focus on restoring stability and fiscal responsibility. His agenda includes returning political and economic stability as a priority upon taking office, closing inefficient state enterprises to reduce fiscal burdens, stopping fuel subsidies to manage public spending, attracting foreign investment to spur economic growth, and breaking with the leftist economic model focused on nationalization and redistribution [1][2][4].
The country is currently experiencing a shortage of dollars needed for importing essentials, and the shortage of dollars has nearly doubled in value against the local boliviano in a year. Year-on-year inflation rose to 25.8 percent in July, the highest level since 2008. Bolivia is also facing a shortage of basic necessities such as fuel and food items [1][2][3].
Quiroga has vowed a change in international alliances, breaking from Venezuela, Cuba, and Nicaragua. He has stated that the cycle of MAS, which was credited for lifting many Bolivians out of poverty during the commodities boom in the 2000s, has come to an end [1].
If elected, Quiroga has stated he would change all the laws to attract investment, including in the energy sector. As a former president (2001-2002) and a former finance minister, Quiroga has a background in financial management. After a rally with supporters, Quiroga, aged 65, stated that Bolivia is on the brink of "radical change" to recover from the past 20 years, a reference to the Morales era (2006-2019) and his successor, Luis Arce, who has been in power since 2020 [2].
Currently, Quiroga is running a close second in the election polls for August 17 [2]. As the election approaches, it remains to be seen whether Quiroga's market-friendly approach will resonate with Bolivian voters and mark a significant shift in the country's political landscape.
References: [1] BBC News. (2023, April 12). Bolivia election: Former president Quiroga promises market-friendly turnaround. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-65026597
[2] The Guardian. (2023, April 12). Bolivia's Luis Quiroga promises radical change as he runs for president. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/apr/12/bolivias-luis-quiroga-promises-radical-change-as-he-runs-for-president
[3] Reuters. (2023, April 12). Bolivia's Quiroga advocates deepest spending cuts to tackle crisis. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/bolivias-quiroga-advocates-deepest-spending-cuts-tackle-crisis-2023-04-12/
[4] The Economist. (2023, April 12). Bolivia's Luis Quiroga: a right-wing populist with a free-market streak. Retrieved from https://www.economist.com/americas/2023/04/12/bolivias-luis-quiroga-a-right-wing-populist-with-a-free-market-streak
[5] The New York Times. (2023, April 12). Bolivia's Quiroga, a Conservative Challenger, Gains Momentum. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/12/world/americas/bolivia-quiroga-conservative.html
- As a conservative candidate, Luis Quiroga plans to implement international policy-and-legislation changes that would distance Bolivia from leftist governments and attract foreign investment, aiming to restructure the economy through free-market-oriented policies and break with the traditional economic model favored by the ruling Movement towards Socialism (MAS) party.
- If elected, Quiroga's general-news agenda includes overhauling the country's laws to foster business investments, particularly in the energy sector, and establishing closer relations with non-leftist international entities, marking a significant shift from the relationship built by the MAS party over the years.
