Bolivia Heads to Historic Runoff After Two Decades of Left-Wing Rule

Bolivia is heading to a presidential runoff – its first since 1982 – after Sunday’s election results broke more than 20 years of rule by the left-wing Movement Toward Socialism (MAS) party, foreign media reported. Centrist Senator Rodrigo Paz secured the most votes at 32.8%, followed by former president Jorge “Tuto” Quiroga with 26.4%, but neither of them met the threshold for an outright win, The Associated Press reported on Monday. The runoff is set for October 19, according to news agency Reuters.  

Senator Paz, a centrist with a reputation for pragmatic reform and economic modernisation, ran alongside Edman Lara, ex-police captain turned social media-savvy ally with evangelical support. Paz’s message caught on late in the campaign. “This economic model must change,” he told supporters chanting “Renewal!”

Quiroga Urges Unity

Conceding to Paz’s lead in poll results that mark a dramatic shift in Bolivian politics, Quiroga reportedly said, “What happened is unprecedented. Bolivia told the world that we want to live in a free nation.”

MAS Faces Crushing Defeat

The ruling MAS suffered a historic collapse, with the party candidate Eduardo del Castillo garnering just 3.2% votes, while Senate President Andronico Rodriguez — another left-leaning contender — managed to secure eight percent, per AP.

The party’s decline, analysts say, is also a reflection of mounting economic turmoil: inflation has soared, fuel is scarce and essential imports like wheat are reportedly out of reach due to a dollar shortage. 

Null Votes Rise Amid Morales’s Protest

Evo Morales, who was barred from the election and is facing legal trouble, urged voters to cast null ballots. A striking 19% of votes were invalid, in what appears to be a notable surge compared to the usual six percent, reports suggest. 

Meanwhile, tensions flared during voting, especially in Morales’s stronghold, with an explosion reported at one polling station, and protests disrupting proceedings. 

Why Paz’s Rise Matters

Paz’s surprise lead defied expectations that right-wing heavyweights like Quiroga or Samuel Doria Medina would ace the race. Known for his moderate tone, he challenged neoliberal candidates by rejecting mass privatisation plans and immediate IMF loans, Reuters reported.

Born in Spain to former president Jaime Paz Zamora, the 57-year-old has deep roots in Bolivia’s political elite. Yet supporters describe him as a fresh face. “We want new people, new proposals, another chance for young people,” a local vendor told the Associated Press.

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