Bolivian runoff set after Paz edges out rivals in early results
La Paz, Bolivia — Bolivians moved toward a runoff presidential vote after Sunday’s ballot, where a political newcomer, centrist senator Rodrigo Paz, drew more votes than the right-wing front-runners but fell short of an outright victory, according to early tallies.
With more than 91% of ballots counted, Paz held 32.8% of votes, while former President Jorge “Tuto” Quiroga trailed with 26.4%. To avoid a runoff, a candidate needed to surpass 50%, or 40% with a 10-point margin over the nearest challenger.
The results dealt a heavy blow to the Movement Toward Socialism, or MAS, party after nearly two decades in power. MAS founder Evo Morales led a leftist wave that swept Latin America during earlier commodity booms. In this race, MAS’s official candidate, Eduardo del Castillo, finished sixth with 3.2%, and another leftist contender, 36-year-old Senate president Andrinico Rodríguez, captured 8%.
Paz’s surprising lead came as Bolivians expressed mixed feelings about a wholesale shift to the right, signaling a desire for moderation after Morales’ long tenure. Paz has sought to distance himself from MAS while advocating against selling Bolivia’s lithium reserves to foreign interests and opposing immediate IMF loans.
The election comes as Bolivia confronts a challenging economic backdrop, including fuel shortages, double-digit inflation, and a scarcity of U.S. dollars. The date for the runoff is set for October 19, 2025, pitting Paz against Quiroga in a head-to-head contest that will shape the country’s direction amid persistent economic pressures.
Editor’s notes and context:
– Paz’s platform emphasizes moderation and economic stability, aiming to soften austerity measures while presenting himself as a break from the more polarization of the Morales era.
– The outcome could influence Bolivia’s approach to its lithium wealth, a strategic resource that has drawn international attention.
– The result underscores voter appetite for change that is not a wholesale return to the previous establishment, signaling a potential pivot toward centrism in Bolivian politics.
Summary:
Rodrigo Paz’s unexpected lead sets up a pivotal runoff against Jorge Quiroga to decide Bolivia’s path after MAS’s long dominance, with the country weighing economic reforms, resource policy, and the balance between austerity and growth amid ongoing economic challenges.
Positive spin:
The runoff presents an opportunity for Bolivians to elect a leadership focused on pragmatic reforms and economic stabilization, potentially offering a path to steady governance and renewed stability in a period of economic strain.
Overall assessment:
This article presents a developing political story with significant implications for Bolivia’s direction, the future of MAS, and regional political dynamics.