Bolivia After August 24: Elections, Expectations & Democratic Crossroads

Bolivia’s August 17, 2025 presidential election shattered two decades of left-wing rule. For the first time since democracy returned in 1982, no candidate achieved an outright victory, triggering a runoff scheduled for October 19. Centrists and right-wing figures snatched the spotlight.

• Rodrigo Paz, a centrist senator, led with around 32% of the vote.
• Former President Jorge "Tuto" Quiroga followed with approximately 26–27%.
• The dominant Movimiento al Socialismo (MAS) party collapsed, its candidate only garnered about 3%, and the party risks total congressional collapse.

MAS’s downfall extends to the legislature: final results show MAS lost all Senate seats and retains only two seats in the lower house, marking a profound political realignment.

Economic Crisis Fuels Political Upheaval

Bolivia’s voter shift reflects deep economic dissatisfaction:

• Inflation soared, approaching 30%, with fuel and dollar scarcity crippling livelihoods.
• The electorate, burdened by hardship, decisively rejected political continuity.

Investors responded swiftly: Bolivian bond values surged, signaling market hope for economic stabilization under new leadership.

Contrasting Visions: Paz vs. Quiroga

Rodrigo Paz (Centrist – Christian Democratic Party):

• Advocates decentralized governance: a “50–50 economic model” sharing public funds equally between central and regional governments.
• Embraces blockchain tech for transparency and proposes a stabilization fund partially backed by cryptocurrency.
• Opposes full privatization of lithium and remains wary of deep IMF integration.

Jorge "Tuto" Quiroga (Right-Wing – LIBRE Alliance):

• Seeks economic liberalization with austerity, privatization, and IMF bailout (~$12B).
• Proposes a "popular property title"; $1,500 in shares for every adult to spur private investment.
• Advocates re-establishing ties with the U.S. and Israel, distancing Bolivia from leftist alliances.
• Has pledged legal action against Evo Morales.

What Comes Next: The October 19 Runoff & Democratic Stakes

Possibilities on the Horizon:

Runoff outcome:

• A win by Paz could signal gradual reform, transparency, and regional balance.
• Quiroga’s victory would mark a sharp ideological shift, privatization, neoliberal reform, and Western alignment.

Congressional dynamics: New legislative makeup may either foster reform or gridlock, depending on coalition-building.

Public trust test: With serious economic pressure, the next leader must deliver results quickly to legitimize governance.

Broader Implications:

• Bolivia’s ideological pivot mirrors a regional trend: similar rightward shifts are emerging in Chile, Colombia, and Peru.
• Restoring democratic norms and preventing polarization will be vital, especially if the MAS base mobilizes resistance.
• The final result could redefine Bolivia’s international and economic alliances for years.

Democracy at the Crossroads:

Bolivia’s 2025 runoff isn't just a routine election; it’s a democratic inflection point. The near-deletion of MAS marks a rejection of populism following crises of governance and corruption. Still, the privilege of choice comes with responsibility.

• A transparent, peaceful transition is crucial to avoid upheaval, especially with Morales’s refusal to recede quietly.
• Citizens must remain engaged beyond ballots, ensuring accountability, civic rights, and inclusive governance endure.

Take Action: Vote for Peace & Democracy

Bolivians may vote on October 19, but global citizens can also support peaceful, democratic transitions worldwide. At Pledge4Peace.org/campaigns, you can vote on real, expert-informed peace and democracy solutions.

Your support helps:

• Amplify voices demanding transparency and justice.
• Encourage policies that prioritize dialogue over disruption.
• Build a stronger democratic culture globally.

Vote now at Pledge4Peace.org/campaigns and stand for democracy, not division.

Bolivia stands at a crossroads: its democratic future will be shaped not only by the October runoff but by how citizens, both in Bolivia and worldwide, choose to support its hard-won freedoms.