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5h ago

Bolivia Votes in Tight Election That Could Require October Runoff

Pending results signal a likely runoff after polls showed a near tie in an economy battered by inflation

Anhänger des Präsidentschaftskandidaten Rodrigo Paz feiern die ersten Wahlergebnisse
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Vor dem Hintergrund einer schweren Wirtschaftskrise haben am Sonntag in Bolivien die Präsidentschafts- und die Parlamentswahl begonnen. Die Wahllokale öffneten um 08.00 Uhr Ortszeit (14.00 Uhr MESZ), wie die Oberste Wahlbehörde mitteilte.

Overview

  • The vote was mandatory for nearly eight million Bolivians choosing among eight presidential hopefuls and 166 congressional seats.
  • Surveys before polls opened showed both Samuel Doria Medina and Jorge Quiroga polling near 20%, with no contender expected to reach the 50% threshold.
  • Bolivia’s inflation has soared toward 25% alongside fuel and foreign-exchange shortages amid plunging gas revenues.
  • Doria Medina and Quiroga both advocate market-friendly programs that include spending cuts, reprivatizations and restoring ties with the United States.
  • Evo Morales has challenged the vote’s legitimacy, called for invalid ballots and is subject to a judicial arrest warrant, raising tensions over possible protests.