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17m ago

Bolivia Heads to Runoff After Rodrigo Paz Leads Vote, Ending MAS's 20-Year Rule

It marks the country's first presidential runoff since 1982 after voters rejected MAS under economic turmoil, casting a record 19% of ballots as invalid.

Former President Evo Morales, who is promoting a null vote campaign on the presidential and legislative elections, embraces a woman at a restaurant in Lauca N, Chapare region, Bolivia, Saturday, Aug. 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Jorge Saenz)
A drone view shows the town of Shinaota ahead of the general election, to be held on August 17, in Cochabamba, Bolivia August 16, 2025. REUTERS/Agustin Marcarian
FILE - A fruit vendor waits for customers in La Paz, Bolivia, Aug. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Juan Karita, File)

Overview

  • Preliminary results showed centrist Rodrigo Paz with about 32.8% of the vote and former President Jorge 'Tuto' Quiroga with roughly 26.4%, triggering an Oct. 19 runoff.
  • The Movement Toward Socialism saw its official candidate, Eduardo del Castillo, finish sixth with just 3.2% after a bitter split between Evo Morales and President Luis Arce fractured the left.
  • Soaring inflation nearing 25% and critical shortages of fuel and U.S. dollars fueled voter anger and reshaped the election outlook.
  • Nearly 19% of ballots were deemed invalid or null following ex-leader Evo Morales's call from his Chapare stronghold to cast protest votes.
  • Jorge Quiroga has vowed to open Bolivia's lithium reserves to private investors and restore ties with the United States, while Rodrigo Paz campaigns as a moderate focused on anti-corruption and tempered economic reforms.