Center-right Bolivian Senator Rodrigo Paz Pereira of the Christian Democratic Party (CDP) secured 32% of the vote in the presidential election, leading to a surprise first-place finish that defied pre-election polls, which showed him in third place with only 9% support.

EL PAÍS English

LA NACION

Center-right Bolivian Senator Rodrigo Paz Pereira of the Christian Democratic Party (CDP) secured 32% of the vote in the presidential election, leading to a surprise first-place finish that defied pre-election polls, which showed him in third place with only 9% support.

Conservative former President Jorge Quiroga of the Alianza Libre coalition finished second with 27.1% of the vote, setting up an Oct. 19 runoff election between the two candidates after no candidate reached the 40% threshold needed for outright victory.

Conservative former President Jorge Quiroga of the Alianza Libre coalition finished second with 27.1% of the vote, setting up an Oct. 19 runoff election between the two candidates after no candidate reached the 40% threshold needed for outright victory.

Bolivia's ruling Movement for Socialism (MAS) party suffered its worst electoral defeat in 20 years, with official candidate Eduardo del Castillo receiving about 3.2% of the vote and former ally Andronico Rodriguez capturing 8% under a separate party banner.

European Conservative

Bolivia's ruling Movement for Socialism (MAS) party suffered its worst electoral defeat in 20 years, with official candidate Eduardo del Castillo receiving about 3.2% of the vote and former ally Andronico Rodriguez capturing 8% under a separate party banner.

The election took place amid Bolivia's severe economic crisis featuring annual inflation of 23%, fuel shortages, dollar scarcity, and widespread voter frustration with the current government's handling of basic necessities and economic management.</span

El Nuevo Siglo

StratNews Global

The election took place amid Bolivia's severe economic crisis featuring annual inflation of 23%, fuel shortages, dollar scarcity, and widespread voter frustration with the current government's handling of basic necessities and economic management.

Former president Evo Morales, barred from running by constitutional court rulings, called for supporters to cast null votes in protest, resulting in 18.93% of ballots being nullified while he remains in hiding facing arrest warrants.</span

BBC News

Former president Evo Morales, barred from running by constitutional court rulings, called for supporters to cast null votes in protest, resulting in 18.93% of ballots being nullified while he remains in hiding facing arrest warrants.

Samuel Doria Medina, the wealthy businessman who led pre-election polls, finished third with 19.5% of the vote and immediately endorsed Paz Pereira for the runoff, marking his fourth unsuccessful presidential campaign since 2005.</span

The New York Times

Samuel Doria Medina, the wealthy businessman who led pre-election polls, finished third with 19.5% of the vote and immediately endorsed Paz Pereira for the runoff, marking his fourth unsuccessful presidential campaign since 2005.

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LA NACION #

European Conservative #

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Paz represents genuine change Bolivia desperately needs after two decades of socialist mismanagement. His centrist approach offers economic stability through decentralization, private sector growth, and corruption fighting that resonates with voters tired of fuel shortages and inflation. The surprise victory shows Bolivians want pragmatic leadership over extremist politics.

Paz represents genuine change Bolivia desperately needs after two decades of socialist mismanagement. His centrist approach offers economic stability through decentralization, private sector growth, and corruption fighting that resonates with voters tired of fuel shortages and inflation. The surprise victory shows Bolivians want pragmatic leadership over extremist politics.

Rodrigo Paz Emerges As Frontrunner In Bolivias Presidential Election

Quiroga brings proven experience and necessary economic reforms to rescue Bolivia from crisis. His technocratic background, international business expertise, and commitment to fiscal discipline, state modernization, and foreign investment attraction offer the radical change needed after 20 years of failed socialist policies.

Quiroga brings proven experience and necessary economic reforms to rescue Bolivia from crisis. His technocratic background, international business expertise, and commitment to fiscal discipline, state modernization, and foreign investment attraction offer the radical change needed after 20 years of failed socialist policies.

Bolivia elegir presidente en segunda vuelta entre dos candidatos de derecha

Jorge Mateo Romay Salinas/Anadolu/Getty Images

Bolivia Heads to Runoff as Centrist Paz Upsets Socialist Rule

Bolivia

Politics

Electoral systems

Economic conditions & trends

Bolivia is decisively shifting right in both its presidency and legislature, rejecting nearly two decades of socialist failures under the MAS party. Economic collapse, with 25% inflation and crippling fuel and dollar shortages, coupled with Evo Morales' scandals, has eroded trust in the left. A strong conservative coalition must bind together to give the people what they voted for.

Bolivia is decisively shifting right in both its presidency and legislature, rejecting nearly two decades of socialist failures under the MAS party. Economic collapse, with 25% inflation and crippling fuel and dollar shortages, coupled with Evo Morales' scandals, has eroded trust in the left. A strong conservative coalition must bind together to give the people what they voted for.

Bolivia Heads to Runoff as Centrist Paz Upsets Socialist Rule

Bolivia Heads to Runoff as Centrist Paz Upsets Socialist Rule

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Bolivia Heads to Runoff as Centrist Paz Upsets Socialist Rule

Bolivia Heads to Runoff as Centrist Paz Upsets Socialist Rule

The Spin

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