Bolivia Presidential Elections Bring Centrist Rodrigo Paz to Power

Megan Hay 

Staff Writer

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Nearly two decades of leftist governance ended in Bolivia on Sunday with the election of centrist Rodrigo Paz as president, reports BBC News. Paz received 54.6 percent of the votes in the run-off election, while right-wing opponent Jorge “Tuto” Quiroga received 45.4 percent.

The campaign was shaped by economic concerns and frustration with the current government. Bolivia’s Movement for Socialism, MAS, has governed the South American country since 2006. The political party’s focus on marginalized and indigenous communities continues to resonate with voters, says The New York Times. Yet, according to BBC News, many Bolivians have become discontent with the party due to the country’s severe economic crisis and infighting within MAS. 

Al Jazeera explains that in August’s preliminary election, former left-wing President Evo Morales was barred from running by court rulings related to term-limits and technicalities of party affiliation. Additionally, outgoing President Luis Arce, who had experienced a falling out with Morales, decided to opt out of the race. This helped lead to a presidential run-off without left-wing candidates. 

Paz and Quiroga both campaigned to rollback policies created by MAS, reports Reuters. Quiroga proposed sweeping cuts and an International Monetary Fund bailout, while Paz advocated for a more gradual approach. His less extreme proposals appealed to left-leaning voters who were more hesitant about drastic changes and didn’t want to vote for Quiroga, states BBC News. 

Campaigning with the phrase “capitalism for all,” Paz promised both market reforms and support for the poorest in Bolivia through special programs. He pledged to lower certain taxes, reduce import tariffs, and decentralize the government. 

Paz has also claimed that he will end fuel shortages, a prevalent problem in Bolivia today, where long lines form at gas pumps and natural gas exports. Once a major source of revenue, sales have plummeted. One solution Paz has proposed is cutting fuel subsidies. Subsidies keep gas prices low but lead to high demand and widespread shortages. 

Reuters quotes Paz as saying, “The market will have to adjust prices, but there are sectors that will have government support until the economy is reactivated.” 

Paz’s victory may also indicate a shift away from Bolivia’s relative isolation from the United States, says BBC News. The U.S. and Bolivia have lacked a formal diplomatic relationship since 2008, when Morales expelled the U.S. ambassador and the Drug Enforcement Agency for perceived conspiring against the Bolivian government.  

According to The Associated Press, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Paz’s victory “marks a transformative opportunity for both nations.” 

Paz’s father was one of the founders of the 1960s Marxist-inspired Revolutionary Left Movement, reports The Associated Press. Paz began his political career in his father’s party but later became a conservative. The 58-year-old started out as a lawmaker in Congress before being elected mayor and eventually senator of the southern city of Tarija. 

When the presidential election season began in August, Paz polled near the bottom of all eight candidates. His eventual election victory is partially credited to his running mate, Edman Lara. A former policeman, Lara was fired in 2023 for denouncing corruption on TikTok. He helped back up Paz’s anti-corruption ideals and gained support from the working class, Indigenous residents of Bolivia’s highlands. 

Paz will take office on November 8, but according to Reuters, he is expected to face immediate obstacles such as securing fuel supplies and building coalitions in a splintered legislature. 

Image courtesy of Getty Images.