In the recent first-round presidential elections in Bolivia, Senator Rodrigo Paz Pereira and former president Jorge Quiroga emerged as the leading candidates, according to preliminary results. This election marks a significant political shift as Bolivia prepares to elect a non-leftist president for the first time in nearly twenty years, following the long-term governance of the socialist Movimiento al Socialismo (MAS) party.
Neither candidate secured enough votes for an outright victory, prompting a run-off election scheduled for October. Paz Pereira, representing the Christian Democratic Party, unexpectedly led the polls despite prior indications that businessman Samuel Doria Medina was the frontrunner. The electoral authorities indicated that final results may take up to three days to be confirmed.
Paz Pereira’s campaign focused on redistributing government funds to regional entities and combating corruption, under the slogan “capitalism for all, not just a few.” His proposals include providing accessible credit, tax incentives, and removing import barriers for products not manufactured in Bolivia. Quiroga, who served briefly as interim president from 2001 to 2002, has also advocated for capitalist policies.
The election occurs during a period of economic crisis for Bolivia, characterized by shortages of fuel, foreign reserves, and certain food items, alongside high inflation and increasing debt. Reflective of this situation, many voters expressed a desire for change, aiming to signal dissatisfaction with the current administration under President Luis Arce, who opted not to seek re-election.
Interestingly, the leftist candidates faced hostility at the polls. Eduardo del Castillo, representing MAS, was reportedly booed, while Andrónico Rodríguez, another left-wing candidate, encountered a violent incident when an explosive device was detonated nearby as he voted.
This election does not feature former president Evo Morales, who led the country from 2006 to 2019 and was barred from re-election. Morales has encouraged his supporters to nullify their votes, amid ongoing divisions within the MAS party and allegations against him. His political influence remains contentious in the current landscape.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4gzlp85432o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss